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Victim, suspect in Occupy Oakland shooting death connected to protests: cops

OAKLAND, Calif. — A man shot dead near the “Occupy Oakland” encampment last week and a suspect in the killing both were staying at the protest site, police said late Sunday.

Relatives of Kayode Ola Foster, 25, confirmed to police that he had been camping at the City Hall plaza before he was shot last Thursday afternoon, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A suspect in the shooting was described by police as a “frequent resident” of the encampment. A second suspect is being sought, authorities added.

The new information contradicts earlier statements by the “Occupy” group that the violence was not attached to their movement.

Protesters initially dismissed the shooting as a “daily occurrence” in downtown Oakland. Local lawmakers concurred, arguing that the high level of street crime in the area made it an unsuitable site for an ongoing protest.

“The risks are too great for having an encampment out there,” Oakland mayor Jean Quan said last week. “It’s time for the encampment to end.”

The “Occupy” group remained in downtown Oakland on Monday, despite police having issued three sets of eviction notices to campers since Friday.