A local resident on his way home from a concert at The UC Theatre described the scene to The Berkeley Scanner.

He said his primary concern was the apparent lack of security and staff in the downtown Berkeley BART station on a busy Saturday night.

The witness was sitting on a bench on the platform when he looked up to see a bald man, who appeared to be unstable, attempt to shove an older man off the platform.

"Everyone jumps to their feet, alarmed," he said. "It definitely seemed like he was trying to push him onto the tracks."

There was no train approaching, but the aggression alarmed those nearby, and the situation quickly escalated.

When the witness and those around him jumped to their feet, the assailant pulled out a large knife and began to threaten the group and advance on them, he said.

The armed man appeared to be altered, potentially in a mental health crisis, the witness said.

The man wasn't moving quickly but, as the group backed away, he kept moving toward them.

The group slowly scattered and the witness tried to alert other people on the platform to the threat.

"I'm yelling at people: 'Hey, there's a man with a knife. Get outta here,'" he said. Some people listened, while others ignored him. "Some people waved me off like I was a crazy person."

The witness made his way upstairs to try to alert the station agent, but the booth was empty. A man who appeared to be a janitor pointed him toward a break room.

The witness heard "a horrible scream."

(BART said later that a woman had been treated at the scene for "a minor abrasion" but provided no other details.)

By that point, the armed man had made his way to the BART fare gates but couldn't figure out how to get past them.

"He stood at those doors banging on them and screaming," the witness said, describing it as "a slow-speed zombie situation."

The witness left the station and called 911. Within minutes, "cruisers started blowing up," arriving from the north and south. He said he counted about 20 units arriving.

Some of the officers carried long guns.

Multiple Scanner readers saw police rushing to the station, with lights and sirens, and asked TBS for details.

The witness said he did not see the arrest but heard the man "gave up immediately" when armed officers told him to surrender.

Another reader said the armed man reportedly had two knives but dropped them and cooperated when police attempted to detain him.

"It was quite a spectacle," the reader said.

The first witness said he appreciated the police response, describing the officers as professional.

"They did their job," he said. "I don't have any complaints."

But he said he had been concerned to see hardly any BART presence at such a busy station, particularly on a warm weekend night.

"They absolutely need to have a cop or two just hanging around," he said. "There was just nobody there."

He acknowledged that BART police staffing is limited but said high-traffic stations need more attention.

After the situation wrapped up, he went back downstairs to catch his train.

The platform was "crowded with drunk people," he said, "kids going up and down on electric scooters. And still no security even after all that."

BART identified the arrested man as 60-year-old Kevin Pina of Castro Valley.

He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, BART said. Pina did not have a BART ticket and was also issued a stay-away order from the station, authorities said.

Pina's bail was set at $30,000, with arraignment set for Wednesday, according to jail records.

As of Monday, he was no longer listed in custody.

BART did not respond to requests for a booking photograph or additional information.

"Patient is safe," first responders reported over the radio shortly before 3 p.m.

A passerby initially called the CHP after seeing a male individual who appeared to need help, authorities said.

Berkeley police said the man "was positioned off the side of the overpass, standing on the base of a traffic sign. After approximately 45 minutes of negotiations, he agreed to return to safety on the overpass."

The responding officers included two trained BPD negotiators.

Original story: Authorities are trying to help a person in crisis on the University Avenue overpass above Interstate 80 in Berkeley on Monday.

The California Highway Patrol got the call shortly before 1 p.m. about someone on the overpass who was threatening to jump, according to early reports.

As of 2:20 p.m., all lanes of I-80 East had been stopped, according to unconfirmed information from CHP dispatch logs. Public traffic cameras appeared to show motorists moving as of about 2:45 p.m.

Authorities have been trying to speak with the individual and attempting to locate crisis negotiators, according to the dispatch logs.

First responders also discussed setting up mats below the overpass and blocking freeway on-ramps, according to emergency traffic.

Berkeley police and firefighters are also at the scene.

This story was updated after publication due to the developing nature of events.

Without naming the victims Friday morning, Oakland police said the couple had sustained gunshot wounds, that a gun was found at the scene and that investigators were not looking for anyone else.

A neighbor who heard gunfire discovered the couple outside their home at 499 Panoramic Way at about 10:45 a.m., police said. They died despite life-saving efforts.

Online maps and real estate records show that 499 Panoramic Way marks a driveway leading to 435 Panoramic Way, where Michelle, 63, lived with Bryan, 64.

The property, just two lots east of the Berkeley border, last sold in 2009. It is in Oakland but has a Berkeley mailing address.

In a news segment Friday afternoon, KPIX said it had reviewed surveillance footage that captured the sound of the shooting: a gunshot, followed by "a man screaming and crying," then a second gunshot followed by silence.

"It's too graphic to play on air," said reporter Da Lin.

A woman at the scene told KTVU the female victim was her sister "and that her brother-in-law had been experiencing mental health challenges."

Michelle Walker, who is listed as Michelle Min in public records, was a clothing designer who began the Berkeley-based clothing brand Bryn Walker in 1992.

"Bryn Walker continues to design and produce clothing in the San Francisco Bay Area, and enjoys a loyal and enthusiastic following with pieces which are timeless and versatile as well as practical," according to the company website.

Bryn Walker "wholesales to around a thousand boutiques nationwide" and lists three stores on its website: two in Berkeley, at 1799 Fourth St. and 2111 D Vine St., and one in Massachusetts. The brand is also available in department stores like Dillard's.

According to another site, promoting a museum fashion show in Florida, Michelle and Bryan Walker produced clothing together at Bryn Walker, emphasizing "comfort and style for women of all ages."

Bryan Walker was the company CEO, according to his LinkedIn page.

During the pandemic, the company partnered with a Bay Area nonprofit, It Takes A Village, "to sew 50,000 fabric face masks and construct 5,000 face shields" to donate to local hospitals, according to a 2020 article by TMC Financing.

The couple seemed to keep a low profile, with neighbors saying they were quiet and often kept to themselves.

Both were registered to vote at a West Berkeley commercial building associated with Bryn Walker.

The company does not appear to have active social media pages, including on Facebook. Its Instagram pages are private or inactive.

As of publication time, Bryn Walker had not responded to requests for information.

The Alameda County coroner's office said a press hold remains in place, preventing it from releasing the names of the deceased.

"OPD's Homicide Division is conducting a follow-up investigation into the circumstances surrounding their death," the department said Friday in a brief statement.

OPD asks anyone with information, video or photos related to the case to call the Homicide Section at 510-238-3821 or the tip line at 510-238-7950, or email cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.

The crash was reported just before 3:30 p.m. on I-80 West near University Avenue.

A second collision nearby involved three vehicles but no injuries, the CHP said.

"When we drove by it looked like they were trying to get people out of a [truck] whose top had smashed in," a reader told TBS.

Officer Cindy Ramirez, CHP Oakland spokeswoman, said the fatal crash involved a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck.

Fatal crash closes I-80 lanes in Berkeley

Several lanes on westbound I-80 are closed Friday as the CHP investigates a fatal crash at University Avenue in Berkeley.

KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco

"I-80 westbound, west of University Avenue lanes #3-5 are closed due to a crash. The estimated time for reopening is not yet confirmed, consider using alternate routes," CHP Oakland reported on Twitter at 3:49 p.m.

Arriving firefighters found five or six involved vehicles in the same vicinity, on I-80 West south of the pedestrian bridge, according to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner.

First responders found a pickup truck that had smashed into the back of a big rig. The impact crushed the front half of the pickup, according to video and reports from the scene.

The Alameda County coroner's office arrived at about 7 p.m.

Multiple vehicles were towed from the crash scene.

A Sigalert — an emergency notification from the CHP — was in effect from 3:40 p.m. until 7:40 p.m., when the roadway reopened.

Just after publication, Ramirez said the investigation into the fatal collision is ongoing and that no other details could be released at this time about the person who died.

The Scanner has requested the individual's name from the coroner's office.

Update, 11:50 p.m. The driver who died has been identified as Bradley Marshall, 39, of Danville, the Alameda County coroner's office said.

This story was updated after publication as more information became available.

Good news: We crushed both goals! TBS raised more than $9,000 from 85 readers, more than twice our member goal.

We now have 1,426 paying members, our highest total yet.

We also heard from many of you throughout the campaign, by email and social media. Readers were candid about times being tight. Please know that we do not take your generosity lightly.

Your help makes it possible to cover breaking news, such as today's fatal shooting and this week's vegetation fire, which led to an air quality alert.

We were the first news outlet to report today's shooting — which quickly became a regional story. We've now posted five updates, including details from the OPD press conference this afternoon.

In Year 5, you can count on us to keep breaking news and digging into the stories that matter to Berkeley.

Here's to Year 5! We're so glad you're part of it.

Emilie Raguso
Founder, The Berkeley Scanner

The incident took place in the 400 block of Panoramic Way in Oakland, not far from the Berkeley city line.

Scroll down for ongoing updates.

At least one of the individuals has reportedly died despite efforts by first responders to revive them, according to preliminary information.

The Berkeley Police Department got multiple calls about possible gunfire beginning at 10:48 a.m.

Bryn Walker designer, CEO identified in fatal Oakland shooting

Neighbors heard two gunshots. A woman at the scene told KTVU her brother-in-law had been having mental health problems.

The Berkeley ScannerEmilie Raguso

Officers responded and the Berkeley Fire Department was also dispatched to the scene.

The Scanner has asked the Oakland Police Department for further details.

Update, 12:15 p.m. One Panoramic Hill resident described "a slew of emergency vehicles" coming up the street Friday morning as authorities responded to reports of a double shooting.

"The urgency," she said. "And the sirens and the sirens and the sirens."

Send tips and photos to The Scanner.

Authorities told neighborhood residents just after noon that one person had been detained and that there was no need to shelter in place.

"We never received a shelter-in-place message," the resident added.

Another resident described at least 10 emergency vehicles parked in the 500 block of Panoramic Way.

There have also been reports that two people have died, but that information remains unconfirmed.

"Both patients have been declared"

Update, 12:31 p.m. Two people were declared dead at a home on Panoramic Hill in Oakland on Friday morning, according to emergency dispatches reviewed by The Scanner.

"Both patients have been declared," a firefighter reported over the radio at about 11:25 a.m. "All units can cancel."

Firefighters had to walk, rather than drive, up to the scene in the 400 block of Panoramic due to police vehicles blocking the way.

The neighborhood is known for narrow streets and hairpin turns that make emergency access difficult.

"We need units to coordinate or you guys aren't going to be able to get out of there," one Berkeley firefighter advised.

Over the radio, another firefighter described the roadway as an "absolute parking lot," asking crews to stage lower down the hill in the 200 block of Panoramic Way.

"There's a PD officer there, they can direct you up," he said.

UC Berkeley: "No known or ongoing threats"

Update, 12:50 p.m. UC Berkeley released a statement to the community just after 12:30 p.m.

"There is an ongoing police investigation regarding a shooting that was reported at approximately 10:48 am. The incident occurred in Oakland on the 400 block of Panoramic Way. There are no known or ongoing threats to the campus. There may be increased police activity in the area of Panoramic Way. If you have any information regarding this case, contact the Oakland Police Department at 510-777-3333."

"A very tight neighborhood"

Update, 1:20 p.m. One Panoramic Hill resident told TBS he had "never seen so many emergency vehicles before. Definitely congestion trying to make it up the hill."

Another spoke to reporters at the scene.

He said he'd heard about the shooting from the neighborhood email list.

"There's a large Listserv in the neighborhood, so people stay connected," he said. "It's a very tight neighborhood in general."

Many people heard about the incident via the Citizen app, which notified nearly 70,000 users about the shooting Friday morning.

OPD Panoramic Way press conference

Update, 2 p.m. Police have identified the deceased individuals as a married couple who lived in the 400 block of Panoramic Way.

The man, 61, and woman, 63, were found outside their home by a neighbor who went to investigate after hearing gunshots, OPD Assistant Chief Casey Johnson said in a news conference at 1:30 p.m.

Police recovered a gun at the scene.

Johnson said it was too soon to classify the incident as a murder-suicide, but that police are not looking for anyone else.

"Everything's a possibility until we can fully investigate the scene," he said. "There is no current threat at all to the neighbors or the neighborhood."

Johnson thanked Berkeley police and firefighters for their help and said arriving OPD officers had been notified by BPD that the couple had died despite life-saving measures.

The Oakland Police Department's Homicide Division will investigate the case.

Watch the full press conference.

This story will be updated as additional details become available.

Councilman Terry Taplin cast the decisive fifth vote, urging his colleagues to spend more time on the issue, particularly as the city's new police oversight director gets settled.

"Now is not the time," said Mayor Adena Ishii. "I think it's really important to take a look at where we are in our history."

The item, from Councilwoman Rashi Kesarwani, with refinements by Councilman Brent Blackaby, asked the city to allow BPD's Special Response Team to use tear gas for barricaded subjects, hostage situations and serving high-risk warrants when alternatives were not possible.

Berkeley officials put the ban in place in 2020 in the aftermath of George Floyd's death.

Community members turned out in force Tuesday and at a prior Berkeley council meeting to express their deep opposition to the item, citing health risks, distrust of police, increasing militarization and a lack of demonstrated need.

One Berkeley police officer who spoke during public comment in favor of the item said BPD's tactical team is the only one in the nation that's prohibited from using tear gas.

(The Scanner reviewed a recording of Tuesday's meeting due to a scheduling conflict.)

The council members who supported the item — Rashi Kesarwani, Shoshana O'Keefe, Brent Blackaby and Mark Humbert — emphasized that it would continue to be banned in crowd control situations such as demonstrations.

"That is exactly what this item spells out very clearly," Kesarwani said. "This is for the Special Response Team, who put their lives on the line for critical, life-threatening incidents."

"No, it doesn't happen every year, it doesn't happen six times a year," she continued. "We shouldn't have to meet a frequency threshold to save somebody's life."

Blackaby said he had asked himself: "Will the narrow use of tear gas in these targeted high-risk situations keep us safer? And in my view, the answer is yes."

He said no other California city had an "outright ban on tear gas" like Berkeley's.

Local authorities have also raised concerns about how Berkeley's ban would limit the ability of outside agencies to provide mutual aid in Berkeley in a critical situation.

O'Keefe said the city's existing accountability structures would ensure the rules are followed — and allow penalties if they are not.

"We have to trust our police to do their jobs and follow the rules that we as the Council lay out for them," she said. "If we don't have that trust, we have way bigger problems."

But the majority — Mayor Adena Ishii, Ben Bartlett, Igor Tregub, Cecilia Lunaparra and Terry Taplin — said they could not support the item.

Ishii said, for her, it wasn't about trust.

"I want to make sure it's really clear that I don't think that our police officers are going to misuse this," she said. "We have a federal government who has been sending officers after unarmed civilians. We've seen the use of tear gas being abused across the country."

Lunaparra pushed back against the idea that tear gas could make the community safer.

"Tear gas is not a reasonable tool. It is banned in international warfare," she said. "I have yet to see an argument that bringing tear gas back into our city will make our residents safer as a whole."

She and others said that, when it was used on protesters on Telegraph Avenue in 2014, it drifted into open windows and affected people throughout the neighborhood.

"Tear gas is not a precise tool," she said. "Even if BPD only deploys it in situations deemed necessary, it is very likely that it will quickly spread and harm others."

Bartlett concurred and said his constituents opposed the item "without fail, 100%."

He and others noted that Berkeley police had only used tear gas for a barricaded subject once in 40 years, and said it felt like "a waste of goodwill" to remove the ban under the circumstances.

"I just don't feel the burden's been met to justify the rancor, justify the fear or justify the erosion of goodwill," he said.

According to the Watch Duty app, police have closed West Frontage Road between Gilman Street and University Avenue.

Footage from ALERTCalifornia, a public safety and environmental monitoring program based at the University of California, San Diego, shows smoke billowing into the air.

The Scanner has requested information from the Berkeley Fire Department and will update this post as soon as more details become available.

Send tips and photos to The Scanner.

Update, 2 p.m. "Frontage Road is currently closed to all vehicle traffic between University Avenue and Gilman Street," police reported in a Nixle alert.

Update, 2:15 p.m. The Berkeley Fire Department has established a perimeter around the fire, which is located on West Frontage Road at Virginia Street, BFD said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, the department said.

Update, 2:30 p.m. Berkeley Fire declared the fire "under control" at 2:30 p.m.

"Units have transitioned to overhaul and mop up," as per the WatchDuty app.

Update, 2:58 p.m. An air quality alert has been issued following Wednesday's fire in West Berkeley. It appears below in full.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached Unhealthy levels.

The poor air quality is due to smoke from an earlier fire along the Bay shoreline. 

The fire is now under control, but the smoke is lingering. Do not call 911 for information.

Everyone should limit outdoor exertion. Staying indoors with windows and doors closed is the best way to protect your health.

Keep Yourself and Others Safe

Check on others. Older adults, pregnant people, children, and people with respiratory illnesses are at greatest risk.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing cough, a dry, scratchy throat, runny nose, trouble breathing, and irritated sinuses. Stay hydrated by drinking water during heavy smoke events.

Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to recirculate to prevent outside air from moving inside.

Respirators & Masks

N-95 respirators are no substitute for being indoors. See the California Air Resources Board’s Smoke Ready California to learn more about using N-95’s during poor air quality.

Update, 3:25 p.m. Reader Staci Prado (BeFree Photography) was monitoring fire dispatches while the incident unfolded.

"The trucks were rotating to go and fill up to bring water back to the other trucks which went on for quite a while," she said. "The smoke was so thick in the air that they were getting calls from all around West Berkeley about smoke alarms going off."

This story was updated repeatedly due to the developing nature of events.

Other ideas included a conference center, horse stables, a hotel and even a spa, as residents sought ways to generate new revenue for city services long supported by racetrack taxes — with the property expected to come off the tax rolls if a pending land deal goes through.

It wasn't all about the money. Many people were also excited to help shape the vision for what a significant new park for Albany, Berkeley and the region could be.

More than 100 people showed up at the Albany Community Center, spilling into the hallway, to hear from the East Bay Regional Park District and city officials about plans to turn the former racetrack into a park.

Most just listened, but about 30 people took turns at the mic, in person and online, to share their ideas. More than 400 people tuned in online.

The meeting followed a recent pledge by the state to put $125 million toward the anticipated $175 million purchase of the site by Trust for Public Land, which has been working to close a $30 million gap with the help of philanthropic dollars.

It was also the first chance for the East Bay Regional Park District, represented by general manager Max Korten, to explain how plans have unfolded and answer questions from city officials.

Korten explained that much of the state money, from Proposition 4 climate bond funds, restricted activities to "park uses" — but said that still allowed for flexibility that would be consistent with both state regulations and Albany's own rules.

Some of the money from the state, $53 million from the Wildlife Conservation Board, must focus on restoration, he added, with Codornices Creek among the sites that could benefit.

"Right now, it makes a right-hand turn into basically a ditch that runs out to the bay," he said. "There's an amazing opportunity to potentially restore that creek."

Korten said the purchase of the site must be complete by the end of the year, with the park district taking ownership in the spring, under the current schedule.

One sticking point came down to plans for the demolition of all above-ground buildings at Golden Gate Fields, which Korten said had been a requirement of the deal before East Bay Parks got involved.

Several speakers wanted the racetrack clubhouse, grandstand and smaller historic features to be considered for preservation. Korten said it was likely too late for that.

Council members said they understood it was late in the process but asked him to do what he could to push for the preservation of individual landmarks given his seat at the bargaining table.

Korten also said that, although there is no set timeline for when a new park might open, the park district would like to make amenities available in phases, including more parking at Albany Beach and perhaps some type of food truck program along the way.

Residents also suggested paid parking and electric vehicle charging stations as potential revenue sources.

Throughout the night, speakers said they hoped Voices to Vision, an extensive community process focused on Albany's waterfront completed in 2010, could help inform whatever happens at Golden Gate Fields.

During public comment, former City Manager Beth Pollard said about 1,200 people had taken part in the process, expressing support for allowing up to a quarter of the property to be developed, with conference facilities, meeting and event spaces, hotel rooms and restaurants among the leading ideas for development.

How UC Berkeley might be involved in plans also came up several times during the night.

Korten said the park district had toured the site with a UC Berkeley architect, and that he had been in touch with the university's capital projects team and its natural resources dean.

On the subject of finances, Councilman Preston Jordan asked for examples of other park sites that generate revenue.

Korten estimated that Tilden Golf Course generates about $800,000 for the park district annually, adding that " every other concession is less." He also mentioned Tilden's popular steam train, which brings in about $50,000 a year.

Exactly how revenue sharing might work among the parties remains to be seen.

In closing remarks, Albany Mayor Peggy McQuaid said local participation and financial needs must remain central to the planning process.

" The community wants to participate, and we will be with you, but we want to be at the table," she said. "It's really important that we develop a plan both for the land, but also for the ongoing revenue that both the city and the school district and Berkeley are going to need."

According to Albany's analysis, the Golden Gate Fields property generates about $1.1 million in special revenues each year for the city and about $700,000 for the Albany Unified School District.

Next steps

The Albany City Council is set to meet Monday, Oct. 5, to discuss financial impacts of the Golden Gate Fields deal. (The agenda has not been published.)

On Oct. 20, the EBRPD board is set to vote on the proposed purchase agreement.

The future of Golden Gate Fields: Learn more

• City of Albany: Golden Gate Fields Transition
• East Bay Regional Park District: Future Golden Gate Fields Park
• Trust for Public Land: Golden Gate Fields

Watch Monday's town hall in Albany about Golden Gate Fields

Since launching TBS in 2022, we’ve published more than 1,500 stories that might otherwise have gone untold. Help us tell the next 1,500 →

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In ballot order, they are: Mark Humbert (City Councilmember), Michael Wallman (Systems Engineer) and Mari Mendonca (Organizer/Advocate).

We sent each candidate the same set of questions. Here's what they said.

Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Mark Humbert?

“I am running on a hopeful, forward-looking vision for how Berkeley can embrace positive change while honoring our history and living out our values.”

The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor

Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Michael Wallman?

“To build an equitable, vibrant Berkeley, we need leaders who understand technology, rely on data, listen, create jobs, and fight injustice.”

The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor

Who is Berkeley City Council candidate Mari Mendonca?

“The voices of Berkeleyans have been drowned out by co-opted leadership serving outside special interests and lobbyists.”

The Berkeley ScannerGuest Contributor

Fred Feller has withdrawn from the race but his name will still appear on the ballot.

Berkeley City Council election events coming up

The League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville will hold Berkeley City Council events Sept. 28 (Districts 1 and 4) and Sept. 30 (Districts 7 and 8). Register online

Election 2026: When can we vote?

Early voting starts Oct. 5 and vote-by-mail ballots go out that week. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

How do I register to vote?

Get full details from the Alameda County registrar of voters (ROV).

Where and how can I vote?

Berkeley has eight vote centers. Two open Oct. 24 and the rest open Oct. 31.

See a list of other vote centers and ballot drop boxes. Learn more from the secretary of state (SOS).

How many registered voters does Berkeley have?

Berkeley has 75,958 registered voters, according to the ROV.

See complete election coverage on The Berkeley Scanner.

Age: 55

Occupation: Organizer/Advocate

What office are you are running for? Berkeley City Council, District 8

What is the main reason you are running? I am running for Berkeley City Council District 8 because the voices of Berkeleyans have been drowned out by co-opted leadership serving outside special interests and lobbyists. We deserve better. I will bring accountability in service not only to District 8 but to all of Berkeley. I will bring responsible and thoughtful decision making, who listens to, and incorporates the needs and communicated priorities of my community along with bringing integrity back into the work of managing our city.

Why are you qualified? I was born and raised in Berkeley and have dedicated over a decade of service in our community. I served as an elected on the Rent Stabilization Board as well as a commissioner on the Housing Advisory Commission (vice chair). I have a diversity of experience as a union leader and community advocate, working in partnership with seniors as well as families and marginalized neighbors. I am able to identify and understand core systemic and structural issues that will allow me to powerfully advocate and address the needs of District 8 while providing a more just and equitable Berkeley for us all.

What sets you apart from other candidates? What sets me apart is that I do this work out of my passion to serve and take care of one another and our city. Deepak Chopra suggests, in the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, the importance of the Law of Dharma… finding your purpose in life. Dharma is defined as your unique self expression, something you would do irrespective of money, and when you are doing it, you lose track of time. Imagine elected leadership whose purpose is to serve, and whose passion it is to bring integrity and accountability to our city. I will work tirelessly to make sure Berkeley is a place where we can all thrive.

How and when did you end up in Berkeley? I was blessed to be born at Alta Bates and raised in Berkeley after my grandfather, who was the first Japanese American to play varsity basketball at Cal, was placed into Japanese internment nine years after graduation. I was part of early integration, bussed to Hillside School during a time when Berkeley would elect two consecutive Black Mayors and its first Black Councilwoman before the creation of districts helped to gerrymander voting, forever shifting the direction of Berkeley politics.

What are the three biggest challenges for Berkeley in the next five years? Our biggest challenges are electing accountable leaders, creating a plan to address our $30M dollar structural deficit, the preservation of the integrity of our neighborhoods which includes protecting the viability of small businesses, ending the threat of exorbitant upzoning and the continued displacement of neighbors, supporting policies enforcing police accountability and saying NO to mass surveillance. This all begins with the long overdue election of new leadership. We have an opportunity this November to take Berkeley in a better direction, vote for change. Vote Mari for District 8.

How would you begin to address them? Running for Council in District 8 is how I am addressing the need for accountable leadership. To address the city’s structural deficit I would do a formal and detailed analysis of our budget so that I and my colleagues could make informed and responsible decisions on developing an appropriate plan to address this ongoing issue. I would challenge the current density bonus rather than double down on its aggressive demands. I will listen to and work with constituents in District 8 to save our shops and protect our vibrant business district. I will work toward identifying new resources and partnerships to capture affordability along with reparative and restorative actions that bring back historically dispossessed neighbors. I would enforce police accountability and say no to mass surveillance.

What is one new idea you'd like to bring to Berkeley? A new idea that I would like to bring to Berkeley is that we do not have to follow the status quo. Berkeley has been a birthplace for revolutionary consciousness and now more than ever all of our humanity needs us to be aligned for the good of all where we are going is someplace we have never been before and it will take humility, generosity, love and care in ways that we have perhaps never shared before.

How will you be accessible to constituents? I will be accessible to constituents by phone, email and by in person appointments, as well as holding open office hours and participating directly with neighborhood groups. I want to be deeply engaged directly with community members because the work of our office is to serve and take care of our community’s needs. Too many times folks who enter elected office end up further away from the constituents who they serve when that is the time that they need to be closer than ever.

Are you using public financing? Yes

How much money do you expect to spend on your campaign? Just what is needed.

A final thought? I will be a leader for District 8 and all of Berkeley serving the community with a depth of respect, care, integrity and accountability that our political arena has been longing for… In my experience, I think that folks just have a hard time imagining it is possible. It is possible. We can be the change! Our beautiful city is depending on us along with our future generations to come.

Campaign website: electmarimendonca.com

See complete election coverage on The Berkeley Scanner.

Age: 72

Occupation: Berkeley City Councilmember, Lawyer: ERISA, Taft-Hartley Trust, and employee benefits mediation and arbitration

What office are you are running for? Berkeley City Council District 8

What is the main reason you are running? I am running to help Berkeley live up to its values of inclusion and opportunity for all, because I want my daughters and other young people of all backgrounds to enjoy the same opportunity I did to call Berkeley home and build a family here. That means working to improve housing affordability, making our streets safer for all users, and ensuring that Berkeley is more sustainable and resilient in the face of disasters and climate change.

Why are you qualified? I have a track record of working with my colleagues and City staff to deliver for District 8 and the City at large. My ability to work collaboratively and constructively is built on decades of engagement in my neighborhood and on City issues, including as a leader in the Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association and as a member of what is now the Transportation and Infrastructure Commission. My experience and the strength of my relationships with my fellow Berkeleyans, Councilmembers, and other elected officials mean I can get the work done.

What sets you apart from other candidates? I am running on a hopeful, forward-looking vision for how Berkeley can embrace positive change while honoring our history and living out our values. When I look around Berkeley, I think in terms of what we could be, rather than what to oppose or obstruct. I aim for pragmatic, honest governance and avoid making promises I can’t ultimately deliver on. I want to stick to what’s in the Council’s purview and focus on impact and follow-through over that which is merely performative. I know the difference between what’s achievable and what’s purely aspirational because I’ve put in the work.

How and when did you end up in Berkeley? After growing up an Air Force brat all over the world and attending college at New College of Florida (a liberal arts haven now wrecked by FL Governor DeSantis), I had the privilege of studying at Berkeley Law and moving to the Bay. I moved from SF to Elmwood in ‘99, raised our 2 daughters here, and continue to live with them and my wife in the same home off Ashby. The joy of building community in Berkeley is why I want to make sure young people have the same chance I did.

What are the three biggest challenges for Berkeley in the next five years? Barring an economic, natural, or constitutional catastrophe, our 3 biggest challenges are: housing costs, the budget, and our unfunded infrastructure needs. All of these are highly interrelated: High housing costs mean that homelessness stays high and young and old alike can’t afford housing for the stage of life they are in. This impacts the City budget (which already has a structural deficit) by increasing funding needs and reducing tax revenue. This also means less funding for our infrastructure, and we need strong infrastructure to support new and existing housing and our quality of life.

How would you begin to address them? I want to continue encouraging economic development and new homes because both are a net positive for Berkeley’s budget. Contrary to popular belief, new development in Berkeley more than pays for itself; indeed, the newest homes and offices tend to subsidize older buildings by way of much higher tax generation. Building new homes also subsidizes affordable units and, just as importantly, takes pressure off the overall housing market, lowering prices and easing displacement, which reduces City spending on housing and homeless services over time. I will continue to push for responsible budgets and limiting expansive new initiatives, so that more funding can go to critical infrastructure and essential services. And I’m supporting Measures U & V to help stabilize our budget and infrastructure.

What is one new idea you'd like to bring to Berkeley? Helping to broker the final compromise on Berkeley’s Middle Housing effort (kicked off by former CM Droste) is something I’m very proud of. But construction costs, architectural design, and permitting can be obstacles for families or smaller developers looking to do gentle density. I want to explore creating pre-approved designs for common Berkeley lot sizes in order to cut costs and approval times and also help guarantee good design. This is something I plan to pursue in my second term.

How will you be accessible to constituents? Email is the best way to reach me, and I am somewhat unusual as an elected official who manages my own inbox. Even if I reasonably have to delegate certain tasks or responses, I see nearly 100% of what comes through email. My newsletter is also open to replies and I often reply in turn. I attend neighborhood meetings, hold multiple office hours each year, and am happy to meet with people one-on-one or in small groups upon request. These are all practices I will continue in my second term.

Are you using public financing? Yes

How much money do you expect to spend on your campaign? $60,000

A final thought? I want more of what makes Berkeley wonderful: opportunities for people of all backgrounds to call it home; public services and urban amenities that offer a high quality of life; safe streets that encourage people to walk and bike to the places we love. But we can’t get there by standing in place. Berkeley has a history of looking toward and building a better future, and that’s what I fight for.

Campaign website: humbertforcouncil.com

See complete election coverage on The Berkeley Scanner.

Age: 49

Occupation: Engineer

What office are you are running for? Berkeley City Council, District 8

What is the main reason you are running? For years, Berkeley has endured vacant storefronts, failing infrastructure, unbalanced budgets, and out-of-touch leadership. Despite thousands of new housing units, rents remain high while transit ridership and school enrollment fall. Unfulfilled transit promises left us with congestion, cluttered sidewalks, and high costs.

To build an equitable, vibrant Berkeley, we need leaders who understand technology, rely on data, listen, create jobs, and fight injustice. I ask for your vote.

Why are you qualified? I grew up here, raised my kids here, and started companies here. As an engineer and problem solver, I am naturally curious: I disagree but commit, and if I don't know something, I learn it. My broad life experience—working with children, the elderly, and new technologies—helps me connect across our community. Fiscally conservative and action-oriented, I understand construction, infrastructure, and organizing. I prefer delivering real results over endless debate to build a stronger, united city.

What sets you apart from other candidates? What sets me apart is operating in multiple spaces. Deeply community-oriented, I serve on local neighborhood boards, active in the PTA, and organize events like Halloween and Easter egg hunts that kids remember for life. Concurrently, I work at the forefront of the intense tech sector. This unique positioning allows me to bridge the gap between grassroots community needs and cutting-edge innovation—ensuring we leverage progress, uplift everyone, and make daily life better across our entire city.

How and when did you end up in Berkeley? Born in Oakland to a Lebanese mother and Finnish father who met at the I-House as grad students, I was brought home as a newborn to Dwight Way. Raised near Lawrence Hall, I attended Berkeley’s public schools, community college, and UC Berkeley for my engineering degrees. This city shaped my life—from my first days on Dwight Way to founding local startups and now raising my multi-generational family on Panoramic Hill. Caring for this community is deeply personal to me.

What are the three biggest challenges for Berkeley in the next five years?

• Fiscal Responsibility - Prepare for an economic downturn by prioritizing critical projects, increasing efficiency, and boosting local businesses.
• Infrastructure - Support housing goals with safe, clean streets and smart development practices while protecting local neighborhoods.
• Climate Reality - Partner with UC Berkeley for cost-effective fire and earthquake safety solutions.

How would you begin to address them? We must partner with UC Berkeley, engaging experts and students while requiring the university to compensate the city for infrastructure impacts. Downtown needs major business anchors and fewer barriers for local small businesses. We should foster small firewise groups to strengthen community resilience, adopt non-surveillance AI to streamline permitting, and jump-start single-family housing upsizing—adding ADUs, duplexes, and triplexes built by local trades. Finally, I will ensure accountability by publishing detailed retrospectives and open datasets on key city issues, including vacancy rates.

What is one new idea you'd like to bring to Berkeley? Berkeley needs to flip it's housing approach through housing at scale. Instead of relying solely on mega-developments, we can build organic density across smaller properties. Converting single-family homes into co-ops, adding ADUs, or expanding footprints can multiply capacity. By providing guidance, tax incentives, and rental support to property owners, we can remove friction and rapidly unlock hidden housing potential citywide.

How will you be accessible to constituents? I will ensure strong constituent connection through three main commitments: personally responding to every email, call, or message; hosting weekly office hours at rotating local small businesses and public spaces across the district; and attending District 8 neighborhood meetings semi-annually to listen directly to priorities.

Are you using public financing? Yes

How much money do you expect to spend on your campaign? Only what is donated

A final thought? I'm new to Berkeley politics, and I'm surprised by the lack of accountability and reflection on past failures. Celebrations are common, but real transparency about what works and what doesn't is missing. Together, we need to roll up our sleeves and get to work to build an honest, accountable city government that delivers results.

Campaign website: wallmandistrict8.com

See complete election coverage on The Berkeley Scanner.

He said he first noticed a police car pull up through the gate at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Bancroft Way, with other cruisers remaining outside.

Then a swarm, "an absolute wave," of students ran down the concourse from the Bancroft side.

"They were a mix of scared, hyped up and gleeful. They were yelling about a fight," he said.

Players from the visiting team then ran to hide in a bathroom on the far side of the field. They may have thought there was a gun, he added.

Things seemed to calm down. Then another large group of students came down the concourse and stopped near the 35-yard line.

The group had come from the direction of the earlier incident and seemed agitated, he said.

"All of a sudden, that group became a large-scale fight involving several students. A few were being punched and kicked after falling to the ground. Other students were filming," he said.

Contrary to an earlier report, no one ever ran onto the field but they did run onto the track, which surrounds it.

At one point, the visiting cheerleaders were evacuated, but the stadium itself was never evacuated, he said.

"When the game was called, the teams lined up and high-fived," he said. "The game ended and people went home because the game was over."

The Yellowjackets defeated Arroyo 27-10. They play Tennyson at home Friday, Oct. 2.

Original story: Berkeley High's first home football game of the season ended early Friday night amid fights in the stands and general disorder.

Multiple fights broke out in the bleachers and people ran onto the field during the game, they said, adding: "Rumors that someone brandished a gun."

Berkeley police said they received reports of a gun but ultimately did not find one.

The game ended in the third quarter "because there were just kids running in every direction," police said.

When the game ended, fans left without further issues, police said.

Authorities received several calls during the melee: a fire alarm at about 8:45 p.m., which turned out to be false; a medical emergency at about 9:20 p.m.; and a battery report at 9:35 p.m.

"Some wildness in the stands didn’t detract from a well-played game (though it did mean the game ended sooner than expected)," photographer Kathryn Jay wrote on Instagram.

The Jackets began their season Aug. 28 but Friday night was their first home game, according to the bhsjacketfootball Instagram account. The game began at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, the barstoolberkeleyhigh account shared a video reminding students of proper game etiquette, including "no fighting" and "don't storm the field!"

"It would have been nice if the rules were actually followed," one person commented on the post after Friday night's game.

The Berkeley Fire Department assessed at least one victim for injuries but no one was arrested, police said.

The Scanner will seek additional details from the Berkeley Unified School District.

This story was updated after publication with several additional details.

Did you attend the Berkeley High football game Friday night? Let us know what you saw.

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