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Berkeley Man Slain in North Oakland By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Tuesday June 28, 2005

An 18-year-old Berkeley auto detailer was gunned down at 60th Street and San Pablo Avenue just across the Oakland border Saturday afternoon. 

Dan Apperson, spokesperson for the Alameda County Coroner’s Office, identified the dead man as Jamon Monty William of San Pablo. 

According to a North Oakland police website (www.northoaklandpolice.com), William was killed about 1:40 p.m. in front of Express Auto at 1339 60th St. following an argument across the street at Gateway Liquors. 

Police said he had a significant amount of rock cocaine in his pocket which would have constituted possession of rock cocaine for sales. Anyone with information on the crime is being asked to call OPD Homicide at 238-3821. 

A shrine to the shooting victim was erected at the southeast corner of Sacramento and Julia streets in  

Berkeley shortly before noon Monday, complete with a large collection of candles, empty cognac, gin and tequila bottles and a collection of placards, balloons and inscribed T-shirts on the fence behind. 

Apperson said the shooting victim lived with his mother, Cheryl Watts, in San Pablo. 

But Taco, who was grilling sausage and ribs at the shrine, said William lived in Berkeley. 

“He was a smart guy. He took good care of his two kids and he went to work everyday at Dollar Rent-a-Car on Gilman,” he said. 

Told of police accounts that the shooting victim had sale weight of rock cocaine in his pockets, Taco said, “I don’t know anything about that. 

Taco said the barbecue was being held as a conciliatory measure in the aftermath. “We’re just trying to prevent some crazy shit from happening. That’s all we can do. Hey, don’t pick up a gun. Pick up a plate.” 

A dozen or so young men were gathered at the shrine, ready to do just that. 

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