OAKLAND, Calif. – Another suspect has been charged with murder in connection with the killing of Oakland police Officer Tuan Le. Marquise Cooper, 34, is facing charges of murder and commercial burglary in connection with the December 29 cannabis dispensary break-in and fatal shooting of Officer Le. He is now the fourth person to face charges in connection to the officer’s death, and the third person to be charged with murder.
Cooper, who fled the Bay Area after the fatal shooting, is being held at Santa Rita Jail without bail. He was extradited to the Bay Area from Southern California and is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Tuesday.
In addition to Cooper, Mark Demetrious Sanders and Allen Starr Brown were charged with murder and burglary, while Sebron Russell was charged with burglary. Sanders is suspected of firing shots at an undercover police car containing Officer Le and another plainclothes officer, resulting in Le’s death.
Authorities say that video surveillance, phone records, and other digital evidence led to the identification of the suspects. They also believe the same group of people are responsible for three break-ins at the same dispensary prior to Le’s death.
Sanders, Russell, and Cooper were all on probation at the time for a similar burglary in Pittsburg. Sanders, in particular, has a history of a prior murder case in which he pleaded no contest to manslaughter and served time in prison.
The investigation into Officer Le’s murder continues as all four suspects remain in custody. This case has raised concerns about the safety of law enforcement officers and the prevalence of criminal activities related to cannabis dispensaries in the area.