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
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.