Three Berkeley men arrested after calls allege fighting, possession of a firearm
Update 1/31/2022: This article has been updated to include additional information from BPD spokesperson Sgt. Byron White.
After several calls at approximately 12:30 p.m., Berkeley Police Department, or BPD, arrested three men on the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Haste Street following reports of alleged fighting and possible involvement of a firearm, according to BPD spokesperson Byron White.
A gun was recovered and at least one man received a medical evaluation and subsequent transport, according to White. There is no more information on the arrests as of press time.
Witnesses claim that a conflict arose at the so-called “Chess Club,” an array of chess boards and tables on the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Haste Street, assembled by community members for free use.
Former mayoral candidate Aidan Hill alleged that they witnessed police officers driving on Telegraph and Haste opposite to the direction of traffic and walked to the corner just as the incident concluded. While the future is uncertain, Hill expressed relief that at least one man was not immediately taken into custody but was instead taken to receive medical care.
“The Chess Club has been on Telegraph Avenue as a motive to reclaim public space for public good; there is conflict among people who are on Telegraph and that conflict leads people open to vulnerability,” Hill said. “What I can say is there are public disturbances that happen, and because Chess Club is open, it is more likely to happen to them.”
Matt Brown is a deputy news editor. Contact him at mattbrown@dailycal.org, and follow him on Twitter at @maattttbrown.