Aristeo Zambrano: Beloved Oakland auto shop owner fatally shot in broad daylight

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA: A beloved auto shop owner in Oakland, known for his widespread community support and longstanding presence since the 1990s, was fatally shot in broad daylight while working at his self-owned store on February 3rd.

Aristeo Zambrano, aged 68, who immigrated from Mexico in the 1970s and contributed to the United Farm Workers (UFW) movement, was nearing retirement from his auto shop, 'Bay City Alternators,' after nearly three decades, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

The motive behind Zambrano's shooting is being investigated 

Zambrano was declared deceased at his shop, located approximately 3 miles from the Oakland Arena. While police continued their investigation, they stated that the motives behind the shooting remain unclear at this time.

“It’s not fair that he worked so hard all his life, he never hurt anyone,” expressed Zambrano's daughter, Maria Ayala.

Before his tragic death, family members had repeatedly expressed concerns to Zambrano about his safety in the violent neighborhood. He is survived by three daughters and six grandchildren.

As a union delegate and leader in the United Farm Workers (UFW) during the 1970s, Zambrano championed wage hikes, according to the Chronicle. Following his involvement in the UFW, he moved to Oakland and eventually achieved success in establishing Bay City Alternators.

Alarming rise in crime grips Oakland and Alameda County

According to the outlet, Oakland has witnessed ten homicides this year, including Zambrano's death earlier this month. Since Zambrano's murder, two additional homicides have been reported.

Since Pamela Price became district attorney in Alameda County, the community's crime rate has only worsened, and her attempts to resign have been further complicated by her grandfather's death.

Earlier this month, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his intention to "deploy" state attorneys to the escalating city to "enhance law enforcement capabilities in Oakland and the East Bay to investigate, assess, and prosecute individuals involved in violent, property, and significant drug-related offenses."

Additionally, according to the NY Post, violent crime is on the rise in Alameda County, experiencing an increase of nearly 20% in 2023 compared to 2019.

This surge in crime has led to businesses like In-N-Out restaurants closing down due to rampant criminal activity.