Police Seek Public's Help in Fallen Officer Investigation

Hayward police said today that they are seeking the public’s help in identifying a vehicle seen near the Oakland home of a suspect in the fatal shooting of Sgt. Scott Lunger on Wednesday morning. Lunger, 48, was shot near Myrtle and Lion streets in Hayward at about 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday after he and another officer stopped a truck that was being driven erratically.

Capt. Mark Koller said Lunger, a 15-year veteran of the department who lived in Brentwood, was shot without warning as he approached the driver’s side of the vehicle. Lunger was pronounced dead at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley a short time later.

The other officer returned fire at the suspect, 21-year-old Mark Anthony Estrada of Oakland, but Estrada managed to flee the scene, according to police. Estrada abandoned his truck at 98th and Edes avenues in East Oakland and eventually wound up at Highland Hospital in Oakland, where he was arrested and remains under guard while he’s treated for injuries that aren’t considered to be life-threatening, police said.

After the shooting, police searched Estrada’s family’s home in the area of 107th Avenue and Beverly Street in East Oakland. Hayward police said today that they are trying to identify a vehicle that was seen in that area on Wednesday morning after the shooting. Police describe the vehicle as a light-colored four-door sedan with chrome rims. They said investigators would like to find the vehicle and speak with the driver and any other occupants.

People who recognize the vehicle can call the Hayward police investigations division anonymously at (510) 293-7034, police said. Hayward police Sgt. Eric Krimm said police will present their report on the fatal shooting of Lunger to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office on Friday for the filing of charges against Estrada. According to Hayward Police Chief Diane Urban, Estrada doesn’t have a prior criminal record but police believe he’s associated with a gang. Police said Estrada worked at a roofing company that’s located only a few blocks from the scene of the fatal shooting.

Full coverage of the fatal shooting on Patch:

• Suspect is in Custody for Fatal Shooting of Officer
• Police Sergeant Fatally Shot During Traffic Stop in Hayward
• Community Takes to Social Media to Mourn Loss of Hayward Police Sergeant
• Slain Police Sergeant Remembered as ‘Ideal Officer’

The roofing company, which asked that it’s name not be used, said in a statement that Estrada had only been employed with the company for a few weeks as a laborer but his father “has been a highly valued and well-respected employee with the company for the past 19 years.” The company said the father’s service record with the company “is exceptional, and he is not only considered one of the best technicians in the field, but also a reliable, honest, and truly dedicated part of the company’s team.”

The roofing company said, “This is a tragic situation. The company’s thoughts and prayers go out the Lunger family and the Hayward Police Department during this extremely difficult time.” Hayward police also said today that the service for Lunger is tentatively scheduled to be held at the Neighborhood Church at 20600 John Drive in Castro Valley at 10 a.m. next Thursday and a viewing is tentatively scheduled to be held next Wednesday at the Chapel of the Chimes at 32992 Mission Blvd. in Hayward.

Lunger’s body was escorted this afternoon by officers from Hayward and other agencies from the Alameda County coroner’s office in Oakland to the Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward. Law enforcement agencies in other cities are continuing to express their condolences to the Hayward Police Department for Lunger’s death.

Previous:

• Service for Fallen Officer Scheduled for Next Thursday
• In Photos: Candlelight Vigil for Sergeant Scott Lunger

Union City police said in a statement, “Our community is reeling from yesterday’s senseless shooting” of Lunger.” Union City police said officers and civilian staff “have been assisting Hayward police in any way possible, including peer support, dispatch and patrol services and we will continue to do so for any additional services that are requested.” Then said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Lunger’s family, his extended Hayward police family, and the entire community.”

By Bay City News

Photo credit Hayward Police