The family of a murder victim shot early Thursday evening in Oakland says the man was turning his life around and improving the city by clearing homeless encampments.
Family members identified the victim as 47-year-old Billy Williams. He had started working for Ken Houston, executive director of the nonprofit Beautification Council, about two months ago.
“He was responsible, he was on time and he said he just needed an opportunity that he couldn’t get anywhere else. People would turn him down because of his record,” Houston said.
Houston said Williams wanted to turn his life around after spending about a decade in prison. He hired him this summer to clean up homeless encampments and streets in Oakland and Alameda County. The Beautification Council is funded by Oakland, Alameda County and the state.
In a recently filmed video, Williams said: “I was in trouble, out of luck. I had no money, no job, no work. And I was out on the street messing around. And I met [Ken Houston]. He put me in the position where I am now. I have a job and nice clothes.”
“It’s hard to meet someone and know that they showed up and he was murdered like an animal in the street,” Houston said through tears.
Police said the shooting happened just after 5 p.m. Thursday in the 3400 block of Wilson Street in the Dimond District. They said someone fired several rounds, hitting a car and killing Williams.
Police say Williams was with or near a group of people when the shooting occurred. It is unclear whether he was the intended target. Investigators are still looking for a motive. No one was arrested.
Neighbors said they heard about six to eight shots.
“When they hear gunshots, they don’t run anymore because we hear it so much, the gunshots and everything. People are tired of it,” said neighbor Isaac Berumen, who heard the shots.
Police said the number of homicides this year is down from the same period last year, with 69 homicides in 2024 compared to 96 at the end of September 2023.
Police cited the Operation Ceasefire crime prevention program as one of the reasons for the decline.
“We are passing the message to those who are likely to be involved as victims or suspects in violent crimes, asking them to put down their weapons and offer services. And I think we’re seeing a tremendous return just in the short time that we’ve recovered the weapons. the program,” said OPD Deputy Chief Frederick Shavies.
Houston supported Operation Ceasefire, but wanted even more job opportunities for people at risk, like Williams. He said Williams lost his son to gun violence in Oakland last year and his 19-year-old daughter is now battling cancer.
“This is a person I hugged. This is a person I touched. I cried with him for his daughter. I cried with him for his son. Now this man was murdered like an animal in the street. And the individuals who they did, they don’t know what they’re doing,” Houston said.
Da Lin
