On January 26, 2023, a jury found Donovan Johnson guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Chrystian Negrete-Valdez, an innocent bystander in a fatal 2018 shooting, and guilty of assault with a semi-automatic firearm upon Leandro Carrera.
On Aug. 11, 2018, the defendant and his friends were walking along International Boulevard in Oakland around 2 a.m. As they approached the intersection of 46th Avenue and International, the defendant and his friends approached Carrera, who was waiting at the bus stop alone. Sensing that something was awry, Carrera ran and hid in the entry way of an apartment complex nearby. The defendant and his friends lingered for several minutes near the bus stop Carrera was originally waiting at before they proceeded to cross the street. Carrera stepped out of his hiding place upon seeing the Defendant and his friends crossing the street. Carrera was only able to take a few steps before the Defendant fired his gun 10 times in Carrera’s direction, striking him in the ankle, arm, and ribcage area.
One of the shots fired by the Defendant traveled over a block down International and struck Negrete-Valdez, an innocent bystander, in the heart. Negrete-Valdez was killed instantly.
The defendant was identified through surveillance videos and witness statements as the shooter.
Johnson faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
DDA Elaine Ma prosecuted the case, with aide from Inspectors Phil Green and Bruce Christensen, along with Victim-Witness Advocate Liliana Bueno.