KTVU coverage of Oakland vigil for people shot by the police features Rick Perez, father of Pedie Perez and Oscar Grant Committee member and Dorsey Nunn of All Of Us Or None.

On January 16, 2011, Kerry Baxter Junior was executed in front of Saint Anthony Church in East Oakland. According to witnesses, Kerry was set upon by two African American males by San Antonio Park. He had accompanied two female friends and was standing by his car when approached by the gunmen. They first told him to give them all of his money before telling him to run for his life.

He was chased around the corner and shot in front of the church, where he died. One witness stated there was a dark blue or black van that sat there until the ambulance and police arrived. The Police Department has done little to solve the killing even though there were two eyewitnesses. When the family calls, they are ignored or told there is nothing new. They have not posted a description of the assailants or a reward for their capture.

On January 16, 2012 the Oscar Grant Committee, and Kerry Junior’s family gathered to honor his memory and demand answers from the Oakland Police Department, the Citizens Police Review Board, and the Internal Affairs Division of the Oakland Police Department. The community joined in remembrance of Kerry Junior and others whose lives were taken by street violence. We want solutions to the needless killing of our children.

“Kerry’s murder has left a void in our family that can never be filled. We will not see him marry, have children, graduate from college, or smile ever again. Those who murdered him do not understand the pain his family is going through,” said his grandmother Anita Wills, who is a member of the Oscar Grant Committee.

Richard “Pedie” Pedro Perez III was unarmed and non-violent when he was murdered by police officer Wallace Jensen on September 14th, 2014. He was shot at Uncle Sam’s Liquor & Market near our family business, Perez Brothers Trucking, located across the street in a residential and commercial neighborhood which is where our business has been for over 30 years. He spent much time frequenting the store, from the young age of 3 for snacks, soda, ice cream, etc., all along growing close to local residents, employees, and owners of the store. After growing up in Pinole and graduating from Pinole Valley High School, his friendships ranged from Pinole to Richmond. As an adult working for our family business in Richmond, Pedie had established friendships and began to love them and worry about their well-being. Going out of his way physically and financially to help those in need. He was known and loved by all around, including store owners, who generously offered to cover all costs of his services. All who knew Pedie were devastated, the community lost a wonderful person that day. Pedie was a Christian and loved the Lord and was a member of Grace Bible Church where Pastor Jesse Gistand resided over Pedie’s service. Pedie was a good person all around. Not many people are blessed with hearts as big as his and we will do everything in our power to bring him justice. Senseless police brutality is getting out of control and we all need to come together and take a stand. Help us bring the truth to light.

Website: Justice for Pedie Perez
Hashtags: #Justice4Pedie #EndPoliceBrutality