Attempted murder arrest made in domestic violence shooting

Darius Tate has a history of violence with the victim, a 19-year-old woman with a 1-year-old baby, according to court papers and community reports.

Attempted murder arrest made in domestic violence shooting
Berkeley police investigate the June 14 shooting at Adeline and Ashby. Ariel Nava Photo

Berkeley police have arrested the suspect in a recent shooting that left a young woman's teeth scattered in the roadway, according to court records.

On Wednesday evening, investigators arrested 19-year-old Darius Tate, described in court papers as an ex-boyfriend with a "history of domestic violence" with the victim, a 19-year-old woman with a 1-year-old baby.

According to court papers, the two had dated for six months but were no longer together at the time of the shooting.

Young woman shot, Berkeley police investigating
The woman, estimated to be 19 years old, was shot in the face, according to early reports.

During Wednesday's arrest, detectives "recovered two loaded handguns and additional evidence believed to be connected to the shooting," police said Thursday.

Tate is now being held in connection with two separate cases, including on suspicion of attempted murder, with arraignment set for Friday, according to booking records.

Police have been looking for Tate since the June 14 shooting in South Berkeley, according to court papers.

That night, he showed up unannounced at his ex-girlfriend's apartment shortly after 11:15 p.m., police wrote. They argued and he was violent with her, according to court papers.

When he left, she went outside, concerned he would damage her car, which he'd done before, police wrote.

As she walked toward the car, which was parked near Adeline Street and Ashby Avenue, Tate popped out from behind a bench or bushes, ran at her and starting shooting, according to court papers.

As the young woman fell to the ground, Tate ran toward Ashby BART and disappeared, according to police.

An elderly woman offered to drive the victim to the hospital, police wrote.

The young woman initially accepted but got out of the car when the driver started going the wrong way.

The victim flagged down police outside the Ashby Stage at 1901 Ashby Ave. The Berkeley Fire Department rushed her to Highland Hospital, the regional trauma center, for care.

The injuries to the young woman's face were extensive, according to early reports, leaving teeth and tissue in the street.

Police quickly secured an arrest warrant for Tate alleging attempted murder, but he proved to be elusive, authorities said.

That changed Thursday night when they arrested him in San Leandro, according to jail records.

Darius Tate. BPD

Tate has no prior charged cases in Alameda County Superior Court, and no listed arrests.

In addition to the arrest warrant alleging attempted murder, Tate was also arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, robbery and loaded gun possession in connection with the shooting.

A second case, from April 30, lists domestic violence and vehicle tampering charges.

That day, at 11:25 a.m., police say Tate threw his ex-girlfriend on the ground and took her keys before damaging her car in the 2900 block of Adeline Street (in the same area as the June shooting).

He is being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail.

Update, July 30:

Stay tuned for updates.

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