Slain Oakland city employee remembered as devoted family member

OAKLAND — A man fatally gunned down Tuesday morning while walking his dog near his East Oakland hills home was identified Thursday as Jermaine Newton, a City of Oakland employee and devoted family member.

Newton, 47, was fatally shot about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Leona Drive and Old Quarry Loop, which is in a housing development north of Interstate 580. He died at the scene.

Police said they were told Newton had lived in the development, known as Monte Vista Villas, the last two months.

Homicide investigators are still working to determine a motive for the shooting and identify the killer.

The violent death of Newton, who grew up in West Oakland, has devastated family members, who said he was a devoted son and father and would be greatly missed.

His cousin, Diamond Hardman, 32, who lives in San Joaquin County, said she would always remember him as someone who had watched out for her since she was a little girl.

“He was really reliable, he was very family oriented and was very proud of his son. Family was number one for him. He would always make sure he was there for you,” Hardman said.

She said he was hard working and responsible and enjoyed his job. “He always had a smile on his face. He was special to our family and he was special to the community. He is going to be missed by everyone who knew him.”

In a statement released by the city, Mayor Barbara Lee said “our city tragically lost a dedicated public servant to an act of gun violence. Jermaine Newton had served in Oakland Public Works since 2022, and our hearts are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and everyone impacted by this loss.”

The statement said Newton started with the Oakland Public Works Parks and Trees Division as a part-time Park Attendant in April 2022 and was then promoted as a Gardener II, a position he held from August 2023 to June 2026. He recently accepted a new position as a Public Works Maintenance Worker with the Keep Oakland Clean and Beautiful Division, which he started on June 22.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call homicide investigators at 510-238-3821 or a tip line at 510-238-7950.