Jesus Campos, Otaez Owner, Fatally Shot in Oakland

A man who was shot near the Mexican restaurant he owned in Oakland's Fruitvale District this morning has succumbed to his injuries, police and city officials said.

Jesus Campos was killed in the shooting, an apparent robbery attempt, which was reported shortly after 5 a.m. near the Otaez Mexican restaurant at 3872 International Blvd., Oakland police Officer Holly Joshi said.

Campos was the owner of the restaurant.

Campos was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and died later this morning, Joshi said.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan released a statement about the murder this morning.

"The murder of Jesus 'Chuy' Campos, a respected, valued, and loved member of the community is a true tragedy," Quan said. "Mr. Campos was well known for his generosity and will be missed by many."

Quan said police will be increasing their presence in the Fruitvale neighborhood, and a crisis response team is responding to the area to assist people affected by the death.

The family opened Alameda's Otaez in 2006. 

Alameda Mayor Marie Gilmore said the Campos family—the senior Campos' son and daughter run Alameda's Otaez—is very active in Alameda and always willing to help out the community.

"My heart goes out to the family," Gilmore said. "I know they must be devasated."

No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting and no suspect information was immediately available, Joshi said.

Gilda Gonzales, chief executive of Oakland's Unity Council, told The Oakland Tribune that Campos was a community leader who helped turn Fruitvale's International Boulevard into a thriving business district.

"He's just been very instrumental in providing leadership for the other merchants in the community," she told The Tribune. "He has always opened the doors for political meetings, community meetings, events."

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Campos was 58.

Ron Silva, the chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of
Alameda County, said he and others have tried to get Oakland officials to crack down on crime in the Fruitvale area and other parts of the city.

 Silva said Campos had been robbed at gunpoint several times in the past.

"We've been ignored and we need to get more officers into that area," Silva said.

Quan said a total of $30,000 has been raised so far for a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.  She said she has asked Gov. Jerry Brown, who formerly served as Oakland's mayor, to contribute another $40,000, which would bring the reward total to $70,000. 

Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the Oakland Police Department's homicide unit at (510) 238-3821.

Bay City News contributed to this report.