The gunshot death of a former NASA engineer who was watching a Golden State Warriors basketball game on television on Wednesday night is being looked into by California authorities.
According to local Fox station KTVU, Earl Rhue, 75, was reportedly at the house of a family friend and his daughter in Oakland on Wednesday night while the three were watching the Warriors game on TV.
Around 7:30 p.m., Rhue walked outside to smoke in the 2700 block of 9th Avenue after his relatives said they heard gunshots coming from the neighborhood.
Maria Rosa Keys, a family friend, told KTVU, “We heard a gunshot.” The TV, however, was on loudly. Outside the home, she said, she heard someone shout for help.
She claimed to have seen patrol car lights outside as police arrived at the scene of the incident within minutes. Keys then said that she was aware of Rhue’s shooting.
Rhue was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, according to the police, but they declared him dead later that evening.
Rhue’s daughter, Maria Martens, who was inside the house when the shooting occurred, said she was shocked by how quickly everything happened.
“When I found out that’s what happened, I was shocked,” Martens said. And everything occurred so quickly. Keys said that just six months ago, Rhue spoke at a ceremony honoring her late husband Calvin. She added that Calvin and Rhue were good friends.
After earning his master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Rhue was employed by NASA as an engineer. He was a Renaissance man, according to Keys, who worked as a puppeteer at Children’s Fairyland and for NASA. Keys said that he had lately been a food delivery driver.
Police said Rhue was sitting in his car smoking when an unidentified suspect tried to carjack him, which is when the shooting happened. Keys added that he had always provided her family with support and consolation.
Keys informed me that in addition to having a sharp mind, he simply enjoyed people. Because of how sad what happened last night was, we are still in shock and will be for a while.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.