Crime
Parole agent Joshua Lemont Byrd fatally shot in Oakland, suspect Bryan Hall detained
OAKLAND, Calif. — A California parole agent was fatally shot Thursday afternoon in Oakland, prompting a swift, large-scale law enforcement response and an hours-long manhunt that ended with the arrest of a suspect.
Authorities have identified the victim as 40-year-old Joshua Lemont Byrd, a parole agent with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
The suspect taken into custody has been identified as 48-year-old Bryan Keith Hall, a recently paroled individual with a violent criminal history.
The shooting occurred shortly before 12:50 p.m. near the CDCR state office located at 7717 Edgewater Drive, near the intersection with Pardee Lane.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Oakland police received a 9-1-1 call reporting the shooting inside the building, which serves as a parole reentry office where recently released individuals report for supervision, drug testing, and case management.
Responding officers from the Oakland Police Department found Agent Byrd suffering from a gunshot wound. Due to the severity of his condition, officers placed Byrd directly into a police vehicle to expedite his transport to Highland Hospital, approximately six miles away.
Despite emergency efforts, Agent Byrd was later pronounced dead.
Shortly after the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. Law enforcement teams from CHP, Oakland Police, and other local agencies fanned out across the city.
The suspect, Bryan Keith Hall, was located near 90th Avenue and International Boulevard—about four miles from the crime scene—and taken into custody without further incident. He was placed into an ambulance at the scene.
Witnesses described a chaotic and tense atmosphere as heavily armed officers descended on the area in search of the shooter.
Police established a command post at the state building and cordoned off Edgewater Drive for several hours as the investigation got underway.
Governor Gavin Newsom and acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis issued a joint statement expressing deep sorrow over Agent Byrd’s death:
“This is a heartbreaking loss. Agent Byrd served with integrity and courage — and we’re forever grateful. We are keeping his family in our prayers and we join the men and women of CDCR in mourning this tragedy.”
According to the Governor’s Office, Byrd began his career with CDCR in June 2014 as a cadet at the correctional officer academy.
He went on to serve as a correctional officer and later as a correctional sergeant before becoming a parole agent with the Division of Adult Parole Operations – Oakland Office in October 2024.
He is survived by his wife and three children. In his honor, flags at the State Capitol and other state facilities will be flown at half-staff. This marks CDCR’s first line-of-duty death since 2018.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspect, Bryan Keith Hall, was recently released on parole. He has a previous felony conviction for assault with a deadly weapon after stabbing a man in the neck in an earlier incident prosecuted by the Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. His status as a parolee makes his alleged role in the fatal shooting particularly troubling for investigators.
The CDCR office where the incident occurred is a critical reentry site where individuals released from prison check in with parole officers for orientation, testing, and supervision. Hall was reportedly familiar with the facility and procedures.
A solemn law enforcement procession was held Thursday evening, as Agent Byrd’s body was transported from Highland Hospital to the Alameda County Coroner’s Office. Family members arrived at the hospital Thursday night, where they were seen embracing and consoling each other during an emotional gathering.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee issued a statement expressing the city’s grief:
“The City of Oakland is heartbroken at the loss of one of our fellow public servants, and we stand by their family and all of their colleagues at the state parole service.”
The California Highway Patrol has taken lead in the investigation, given that the shooting occurred on state property.
The crime scene perimeter has since been cleared, but investigators continue to review surveillance footage, collect forensic evidence, and interview witnesses.
CDCR released a public message expressing their sorrow, stating they were “deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless loss” of Agent Byrd.
The agency also shared a tribute video on social media honoring his service.
Law enforcement officials have not released further details regarding the events leading up to the shooting, including the motive or whether the suspect and victim had prior interactions.
The investigation remains active.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is urged to contact CHP investigators or Oakland Police.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.