The arraignment of Charles Wood, 21, who was arrested in connection to Wednesday’s double shooting in South Berkeley, was canceled Friday afternoon.
Authorities at the Oakland courthouse said Wood might be released by Friday night. Wood was held on suspicion of being an accessory to a felony and receiving known stolen property, although he was initially arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm and receiving known stolen property. His bail was also reduced from $80,000 to $20,000.
Being an accessory to a felony and receiving known stolen property of value greater than $400 could be felony charges.
“Our investigation is active and ongoing,” said Berkeley Police Department spokesperson Officer Jennifer Coats, adding that police could not share any further details regarding additional suspects.
Wood’s father, Charles Wood Sr., was at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse at the scheduled time of the arraignment.
“I feel like any father would. He’s not a bad kid,” Charles Wood Sr. said. “He’s been under a lot of stress.”
Charles Wood Sr. added that his son is an electrician and will graduate from technology school later this month. On top of going to school, Wood takes care of his mother, who has cancer, Charles Wood Sr. said.
Police responded to a shooting Wednesday near the intersection of Russell and California streets just after 4:30 p.m. After receiving multiple 911 calls, police arrived on scene and immediately found one male gunshot victim, according to Coats. They later located another male victim.
One victim is 21 years old, and the age of the other is unknown, Coats said. Both victims appeared to suffer from nonlife-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Initial police scanner reports indicated that one victim was shot in the leg and that the other was shot in the arm and hand.
Charles Wood Sr. said that one of the victims was his son’s friend and that he thinks the incident was an accident.
“Obviously there are other suspects outstanding,” said BPD Lt. Dave Frankel, adding that detectives are still working on the case.
Check back for updates.
