On Tuesday, Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard said a man was sentenced to 30-years in state prison for murder during a house party in the City of Oakley in 2023.
On October 21 at 11:12PM Oakley police officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Shannon Way on the report a shooting had just occurred and several people had been shot. Officers arrived on scene a short while later and located 5 spent 9mm shell casings in front of the residence. Officers also found a total of four victims suffering from gunshot wounds. 16-year-old Ke’Marion Tucker was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel. The shooter was identified as 18-year-old Sean Karp who was taken into custody on October 25, 2023.
According to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, on August 12, 2025, Sean Karp entered guilty pleas to four felony counts with enhancements and was sentenced to 30 years in state prison by Judge Teri Mockler.
Charges and Convictions
Karp pled guilty to:
- Three counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm [PC 245(b)]
- One count of voluntary manslaughter [PC 192(a)]
Enhancements
- Each count included the following enhancements:
- Personal use of a firearm [PC 12022.5(a)]
- Great bodily injury on each assault count [PC 12022.7]
Sentencing
- The court imposed consecutive sentences on each count, resulting in the statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in state prison for the convicted offenses.
“This was the largest act of violence against the youth of Oakley. We had four juvenile victims of gun violence that resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy,” said Beard
He shared from that night until today that case has been vigorously investigated—several search warrants and Oakley Detectives linked the shooter to another shooter. The shooter had been taken into custody and standing trial the past few months.
“Today, the shooter was sentenced to 30-years in state prison,” said Beard.
Dec 5, 2023 : Murder and Firearm Assault Charges Filed Against Oakley Young Adult
Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has formally charged 18-year-old Sean Karp with murder, firearm assault, and related enhancements in connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Ke’Marion Tucker in Oakley on October 21st.
A complaint filed in Superior Court in Martinez today charges Sean Karp with one count of murder, with an enhancement for intentionally discharging a firearm. Moreover, Karp faces three counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm with enhancements pertaining to the use of a firearm (handgun) and inflicting great bodily harm on three individuals.
The charges stem from a shooting that occurred at a residence in Oakley during a party. In addition to Tucker being shot and killed, three other teens were injured when Karp discharged his weapon.
On October 25th, another individual suspected of the shooting was arrested by Oakley Police, although he was later released as the investigation continued. Karp was later identified as the suspect and was arrested on November 30th in Brentwood, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Karp is in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility and will be arraigned on the charges on December 6th at 1:30 pm in Martinez. His bail has been set at $2,660,000.
Case No. 04-23-02043 | The People of the State of California vs. Karp, Sean
Oakley: 16-Year-Old Killed in Shooting, 3 Others Wounded
Statement from Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard:
On October 21 at 11:12PM Oakley police officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Shannon Way on the report a shooting had just occurred and several people had been shot. Officers arrived on scene a short while later and located 5 spent 9mm shell casings in front of the residence. Officers also found a total of four victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Tragically a 16-year-old juvenile was pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel. Next of kin has been notified. The other three victims were transported to John Muir Walnut Creek with non-life threatening  injuries.
Additional resources, to include Oakley police detectives, additional officers and administration were called in.
The suspect fled the scene prior to officers arriving and has not been located. This was a very chaotic scene and Oakley police personnel are actively working with dozens of potential witnesses in an attempt to ascertain the identification of the suspect. At this point it does appear as if there was only one suspect.
Officers were dispatched to this residence approximately thirty minutes prior to the shooting regarding a loud party. Officers arrived at that time and spoke to an 18-year-old female resident who was advised of the noise complaint. The female advised the party was being shut down and they were trying to get people to leave but kids kept showing up. Officers asked if she needed help shutting down the party and she declined assistance.
One witness advised that after officers left the residence, a group of 20-30 kids showed up in front of the residence but could not get into the house due to the front door being locked. The group entered the backyard through the side gate. Shortly after, screaming was heard coming from inside the home and several people were seen running out the front door. Shortly after that, approximately five-six shots were heard being fired in front of the residence, which is consistent with the observations of our officers and the evidence they have located so far.
“This is an active investigation and it is our top priority right now. I have spoken to the Oakley personnel who were at this scene and I have been made aware of all of the investigative steps that need to be taken. Our commitment to our community is heightened due to the fact the suspect and the weapon used in this crime are still not accounted for. This is very much of a “no rest until an arrest” approach for our investigators and officers. Every plausible lead is going to be followed up on until this case is resolved.
As I write this there is not yet enough information that has been developed, about the suspect in this case, for me to broadcast out. As soon as I have something to put out that will benefit our investigation I will be sure to do so and I will make an appeal to our community to assist us in locating the suspect.
No parent should ever have to receive the news that happened last night and live through the horror of losing a child- I am very sorry this happened and I offer sincere condolences.
I will update all of you as soon as I can. If you do have any information about this shooting please call the Oakley Police Department at 925-625-8060, advise the dispatcher you have information regarding the shooting that happened on Shannon Way and you will be connected to the appropriate person.
Stay safe Oakley.”
~Chief Paul Beard
Original Story
