OAKLAND — Police here have identified a man who was shot and killed outside of a grocery mart, ending one of the city’s longest time periods this year without a homicide.
Eric Florence, 52, was shot and killed on the afternoon of Nov. 13, outside of a store on the 1100 block of 71st Avenue in East Oakland. Police say that around 2:30 p.m., Florence and his killer were engaged in an argument that escalated into a fight, and that the other man pulled out a gun and shot Florence at least once.
The argument was over a bag full of empty aluminum beer cans that can be recycled for a few cents apiece, according to police. The suspect apparently started the argument when he walked up and confronted Florence.
No arrests have been announced, and police haven’t said if they’ve identified a suspect.
Florence was able to walk across the street from where he was shot, but died before paramedics arrived, authorities said.