FBI UCR Homicide Data — 16 recorded incidents
Oakland has one of the highest homicide rates of any city in California, driven by violence in neighborhoods like East Oakland, West Oakland, and Fruitvale where decades of economic disinvestment, racial segregation, and the aftermath of the state's prison release policies have created persistent cycles of lethal conflict. The city's geographic position — between San Francisco and the methamphetamine-producing regions of the Central Valley — has made it a key distribution hub for narcotics, contributing to gang-related homicides. Oakland gained national notoriety with the 2023 shooting death of 15-year-old hockey prodigy Johnny Bingam Jr. by a 14-year-old at a community celebration, a case that highlighted the city's ongoing struggle with youth firearm violence. FBI UCR data powers The Murder Channel's Oakland homicide tracker.
Oakland, Maryland has recorded 16 homicides over the tracked period, with 18 victims identified.. The city ranks #291 among 339 U.S. cities tracked by the FBI, with a clearance rate of 38% — meaning an arrest or suspect identification was made in 6 of those incidents.
Firearms — predominantly firearm - handguns — account for 50% of homicides with weapon data, followed by firearm - type unknown, firearm - rifle, unknown.
Oakland's homicide rate is 79% below the average for tracked U.S. cities, based on FBI UCR data. 5 cases remain under investigation. The primary reporting agency was Oakland Police Department, which filed 16 incident reports. See also our Maryland state homicide data page for broader context. The Oakland metropolitan area continues to be monitored as part of the national homicide tracking effort.