Police: Masked Gunman Kills Veteran Oakland Journalist

NBC 11 | August 3, 2007

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Veteran journalist Chauncey Bailey, who recently was promoted to be editor of the Oakland Post, was fatally shot in downtown Oakland just before 7:30 a.m. Thursday in what appears to be a targeted shooting, according to an Oakland police spokesman.

"This is disheartening," said Oakland police spokesman Roland Holmgren, who knew Bailey.

Holmgren said the 58-year-old journalist was shot multiple times in the 250 block of 14th Street near Alice Street, which is near a large post office on 13th Street and a McDonald's restaurant at 14th and Jackson streets.

Holmgren said witnesses told police that a lone gunman dressed in black clothing and black headgear approached Bailey, shot him multiple times and then fled on foot.

Witnesses said they heard four shots. Bailey was shot once in the back and once in the head, Oakland Fire Department Capt. Melinda Drayton said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Oakland Post's office is several blocks away at 405 14th St.

Co-workers told NBC11 that Bailey was on his way to work when he was shot. He was supposed to arrive at work at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

Holmgren said he knew Bailey because Bailey covered Oakland City Hall as well as police matters and described Bailey as "a very assertive person who spoke his mind and addressed controversial topics."

Bailey worked for The Oakland Tribune for more than 10 years before leaving the newspaper in 2003, according to Tribune employees.

He later joined the Oakland Post, which is oriented toward serving the area's black community.

Paul Cobb, publisher of the Post, said Chauncey lives about 12 blocks away from the paper's offices.

"This is a great loss not only for the Post, but for the Bay Area," Cobb said.

Cobb called the shooting surreal. He said Bailey had "a nose for news" and was the hardest working man in journalism.

Cobb said he spoke to Bailey on Wednesday night and he seemed upbeat.

Gwendolyn Carter, the paper's advertising manager, who came to the shooting scene, said Bailey was just promoted to be editor in the last month or two.

Carter said, "Chauncey was a great man and he called me his little sister."

Nesbitt said, "Chauncey was very controversial and could bring anger out in people."

"I was shocked and saddened to learn of Chauncey Bailey's death this morning. Chauncey contributed so much to the fabric our community, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. It is my hope that the perpetrators of this horrible crime are brought to justice swiftly, and that Chauncey's untimely death will bring our community together and strengthen our collective hand in rooting out this type of violence," said Democratic Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

Mayor Ron Dellums also expressed words of praise for Bailey.

Dellums said his death is a huge loss for all of Oakland.

"It is a tragedy when any person loses his or her life by an act of violence. The crime and violence on Oakland streets presents me with the most painful and difficult challenge I've ever faced. We should all be able to move through our lives on the streets of Oakland in peace and safety. We are all diminished by the loss of any one of us," Dellums said

Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the gunman. Anyone with information can call police at 510-238-3821 or Crime Stoppers at 510-238-6946.

Slain Journalist Was Granted Restraining Order

Bailey was granted a temporary restraining order four years ago against an ex-girlfriend whom he said was harassing him, according to Alameda County Superior Court records.

Bailey filed the request for a restraining order on April 24, 2003, and the order was granted April 28, 2003.

In a box on a court form that asked about the nature of their relationship, Bailey checked "We are dating or used to date."

Bailey said abuse included "stalking, calling at home and job at all hours" as well as "unwarranted visits to my home."

Oakland police have not said if they think there could be a connection between the restraining order and the shooting incident at 14th and Alice streets that claimed Bailey's life.

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