El Cerrito police arrest suspect in fatal shopping center shooting

An 18-year-old man, Jacari Talifero Gibson of Richmond, has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at the Del Norte Plaza shopping center in El Cerrito. The victim, identified as 21-year-old Jakai Couch of Oakland, was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle outside the Los Moles restaurant on Sunday morning.

Authorities believe Couch was targeted during the attack. Police report that two men approached the vehicle, with one entering the back seat to open fire. The suspects fled the scene in a gray Nissan Maxima, which was later recovered by Vallejo police. While Gibson has been booked on suspicion of murder and robbery, investigators believe he may have acted as a lookout. Police are still searching for two additional suspects, including the shooter and the getaway driver.

El Cerrito Police Chief Paul Keith noted that the investigation was delayed because the city had recently removed its license-plate reading cameras. The city terminated its contract with Flock Safety after discovering that some data was being shared with federal agencies, a decision that officials say lengthened the time required to identify the suspects' vehicle.