OAKLAND, CA — What was meant to be a typical Friday night of fine dining and laughter turned into a night of terror for dozens of patrons at Well Pierre, a popular restaurant nestled in the heart of Oakland’s Uptown district. On the evening of May 2, 2025, gunfire suddenly erupted just outside the establishment, sending patrons diving beneath tables, screaming for cover, and scrambling to escape what many feared was a mass shooting in progress.
While no fatalities were reported, multiple shell casings were recovered, at least one individual sustained minor injuries from shattered glass, and the psychological toll on diners and staff remains profound. Among the shaken witnesses was Trejae Jameelah Rae, a 27-year-old local artist and community activist, who described the chaos as “something straight out of a nightmare.”
As law enforcement officials continue their investigation into the gunfire, which occurred around 8:42 p.m., residents, business owners, and civic leaders are demanding not just answers—but action.
Trejae Rae had just taken her seat at a corner table with friends when the first shots rang out.
“We heard the pop-pop-pop—three or four shots,” she recounted. “Then people were screaming. A server yelled for everyone to get down. It all happened so fast, but it felt like forever.”
Surveillance footage reviewed by police reportedly shows a vehicle pulling up near the corner of 22nd Street and Telegraph Avenue before shots were fired in the direction of a nearby building. Witnesses claim they saw two individuals running from the scene immediately afterward.
The restaurant, which features large glass windows and outdoor seating, bore the brunt of the shock. A bullet reportedly pierced the glass facade, narrowly missing customers inside.
“I had glass in my hair and blood on my arm—but it wasn’t mine,” said Eric Lanning, a visitor from Sacramento. “People were screaming, dropping their drinks, pushing each other to hide. It was total panic.”
Restaurant staff quickly locked the doors, ushered patrons into the kitchen area, and called 911. Oakland Police responded within minutes, securing the area and beginning interviews with witnesses.
A Symbol of Safety Shattered
Well Pierre, long considered a staple of Uptown’s burgeoning fine dining scene, has been featured in local magazines for its French-Californian fusion menu and community events. The restaurant had hosted birthday parties, wedding proposals, and nonprofit fundraisers—many of which were coordinated by local artists and activists like Trejae Rae.
“This place was supposed to be safe,” said Well Pierre manager Elena DuPont. “We’re a family-run business. People come here to relax, to connect, to celebrate. Now, they’re afraid.”
Indeed, Oakland residents are no strangers to gun violence. But the location and visibility of this incident—outside a prominent restaurant on a busy weekend night—have escalated public concern.
Community Uproar: Demands for Action
By Saturday afternoon, more than 200 people had gathered for an impromptu community meeting in nearby Snow Park, where residents aired grievances and demanded accountability from city leaders.
Among the speakers was Oakland City Councilmember Loren Taylor, who called the shooting “unacceptable” and emphasized the need for more community-based public safety solutions.
“We can’t keep having the same conversation after every shooting,” said Taylor. “We need real investment in prevention, in mental health, in conflict resolution. And we need it now.”
Other speakers echoed frustration at the Oakland Police Department’s apparent inability to reduce gun violence in high-traffic public areas. In 2024 alone, Oakland recorded over 100 gun-related incidents within a one-mile radius of Uptown.
Law Enforcement Response and Investigation
Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong addressed the media during a press briefing early Saturday morning. “We are actively pursuing leads in the investigation and reviewing all available video footage,” he stated. “At this time, we do not believe this was a random act of violence. We believe individuals were targeted.”
Chief Armstrong declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation, but confirmed that officers recovered six shell casings at the scene and are analyzing them for ballistic matches to previous shootings in the area.
There have been no arrests as of Sunday morning, but police are encouraging witnesses or anyone with video footage to contact the department’s Homicide and Major Crimes Division.
Oakland’s Larger Struggle With Public Safety
The incident at Well Pierre has renewed debate over public safety in a city that continues to grapple with high rates of gun violence, even as other cities in the Bay Area have seen declines.
According to the Oakland Violence Prevention Coalition, nearly 1,500 gunfire incidents were recorded in 2024, with 412 people wounded and 91 killed. While some initiatives—like violence interrupter programs and youth intervention services—have shown promise, funding remains inconsistent, and many residents feel city efforts are reactive rather than preventive.
“Gunfire shouldn’t be the soundtrack of our city,” said community leader Jonathan Reese. “We can’t let fear become normal.”
Mental Health Fallout for Victims and Witnesses
While no one was killed during the shooting near Well Pierre, trauma experts warn that the psychological effects can be long-lasting. The experience of hiding from gunfire, hearing screams, and fearing death has already begun to manifest in some witnesses.
Trejae Rae said she has had trouble sleeping since the incident. “I keep replaying it in my head—what if I had been sitting by the window? What if someone hadn’t yelled for us to get down? I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Local therapists and nonprofits, including Oakland Healing Circles and Urban Peace Movement, have offered free trauma counseling sessions for those affected. The city is also considering emergency funds to help businesses like Well Pierre recover from lost revenue and damage repairs.
Business Impact and Tourism Concerns
For Well Pierre, the shooting could have lasting implications. The restaurant was forced to close for the weekend to repair damage and ensure staff were emotionally and physically safe to return. Reservations for the following week have plummeted by over 60%, according to online booking platforms.
“We don’t know if we’ll bounce back,” said DuPont. “Our employees are scared. Our customers are scared. It’s heartbreaking.”
Nearby businesses have also reported a dip in foot traffic, with some closing early or canceling events out of fear of further violence. With Oakland aiming to promote itself as a destination for art, culture, and cuisine, the shooting presents a challenge to those efforts.
Conclusion: A City at a Crossroads
The gunfire outside Well Pierre Restaurant is not just another crime statistic—it is a wake-up call. It has pierced the illusion of safety in a part of Oakland known for growth and revitalization. It has revealed the thin line between ordinary life and unthinkable violence. And it has placed renewed pressure on city officials to act—not later, but now.
For Trejae Jameelah Rae and others who lived through the terror, the scars remain invisible but deep.
“I just wanted to eat dinner with my friends,” she said. “Now I’m afraid to sit by a window. That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”
The city must now decide: will this be just another headline? Or will it be the beginning of change?
