19 Detained In Pre-Dawn Oakland Raid

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Chauncey Bailey

In the early morning hours of August 3, 2007, police in Oakland raided a well known Oakland bakery linked to a prominent black Muslim group.  Cops say that the pre-dawn raids of Your Black Muslim Bakery and three other locations were part of a year-long investigation into several violent crimes including murder, robbery, and kidnapping. 

Oakland cops say that the morning raids have now been linked to the August 2 murder of renowned Bay Area journalist Chauncey Bailey.  The bakery had been the subject of a story being written, according to colleagues, by Bailey in the weeks before his death.  Your Black Muslim Bakery was founded in 1968 by Yusef Bey as a refuge for urban families in need.  It sold baked goods along side books by Malcom X and other black leaders. 

In recent years, Bey's son, Yusef Bey IV, took control of the bakery and several franchises but has been accused by cops in the Bay Area as a leader in a group that has used strong arm techniques within the local community.  The bakery had been plagued by financial woes for several years resulting in a bankruptcy filing last year.  Bailey had reportedly been writing, in part, about the bakery's bankruptcy proceedings. 

Newspaper Editor Shot On Sidewalk

Authorities tell AMW that a prominent Bay Area journalist, Chauncey Bailey, was the target of a deadly attack on a sidewalk in downtown Oakland at just after 7:20 am on August 2, 2007.  Bailey, a celebrated former reporter with the Oakland Tribune, had just started a new position as editor of the Oakland Post in June 2007.

Cops say that Bailey was approached by an unknown gunman in the 1400 block of Alice Street on a route he routinely walked to work.  The assailant, who was masked and dressed in black, fired multiple rounds shooting Bailey once in the back and again in the head.  Police say the weapon used may have been a shotgun or high powered rifle.  Authorities also believe that the attack on Bailey was deliberate and that the killer must have had prior knowledge of Bailey's daily morning walk to the Oakland Post. 

The lone gunman fled the scene on foot to a waiting van and drove off.  He was last seen on 14th Street between Alice Street and Jackson Street in Oakland.   Cops are asking for the public's assistance with any information relating to Chauncey Bailey's murder. 

Bailey's Killer To Be Charged

Authorities tell AMW that 19-year-old Devaughndre Broussard has confessed to the murder of Chauncey Bailey days after he allegedly shot and killed the renowned journalist on the streets of Oakland in broad daylight.  Broussard, who cops say was a handyman working at Your Black Muslim Bakery, is expected to be formally charged in the next few days. 

The confession came one day after cops in Oakland raided the bakery and detained 19 people.  Two other men connected to the bakery, who were arrested in the early morning siege, are expected to be charged for a May 2007 kidnapping and robbery that occured in Oakland.  Authorities arrested a total of seven people including the bakery's founder's grandson, Yusuf Bey IV.  The suspects are being held on suspicion of murder, assault, kidnapping and other charges.