Rapper Lil’ Theze was reportedly shot and killed by retired Oakland police captain Ersie Joyner III after he attempted to rob him at a West Oakland gas station on Thursday, according to Bay Area News Group.
Ersie Joyner III was pumping gas at the Chevron station at 1700 Castro St. Thursday afternoon when “he was approached by several individuals that began to rob him of his belongings. During the robbery at some point, shots were fired, and both victims sustained gunshot wounds,” according to Bay Area News Group.
In surveillance footage from the attempted robbery it shows Joyner allowing the men to enter his car before firing his weapon at the perpetrators. During the shoot-out Joyner shot two men— killing Lil’ Theze and injuring the other—and was shot multiple times. After authorities arrived at the scene, Joyner was rushed to the hospital to undergo emergency surgery, according to HotNewHipHop.
Joyner led the Oakland police department’s Ceasefire anti-violence initiative back in 2013 until retiring as a police captain in 2019. During a press conference Thursday, Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong informed the public that the retired police officer was “lawfully able to carry a firearm.” Chief Armstrong denied to confirm that the retired police officer was Joyner, per Joyner’s family’s request, according to Bay Area News Group.
Although police reports haven’t officially identified the robbers, VladTV reports that the deceased robber is in fact rapper Lil’ Theze, according to HotNewHipHop. The entire altercation is a tragedy, and spotlights the violence that is all too prevalent in the city.
The shooting “highlights the violence that we’ve seen in this city this entire year. We have seen so many tragic situations. We have seen so many people lose their lives as a result of violence,” Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong said.
Oakland City Council member Loren Taylor addressed the altercation, noting the unfortunateness of Joyner’s victimization.
“This hits deep, absolutely,” said Oakland City Council member Loren Taylor. “Someone who dedicated his life to keeping other people safe, to have this happen to him, where he is the victim of violent crime, it’s tragic.”
The case is still undergoing investigation. Investigators are looking for the black four-door sedan that was seen leaving the scene. No arrests have been announced thus far, according to Bay Area News Group.
