Attorney General Bonta Announces Review of Oscar Grant Case

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice (Department) will conduct its own independent review of former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) officer Anthony Pirone’s involvement in the officer-involved shooting of Oscar Grant. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office recently issued a report in January 2021, which concluded that no criminal charges would be brought against Pirone. Following this decision, a request for review was made to the Department from Oscar Grant’s mother, Ms. Wanda Johnson; the BART Board of Directors; The Justice 4 Oscar Grant Coalition; and a number of other local community leaders. Consistent with the Department’s longstanding practice and at Attorney General Bonta’s direction, the Department has committed to engaging in its own thorough and independent review of Pirone’s involvement in the incident.

“Transparency is critical to building and maintaining trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The California Department of Justice is committed to conducting a thorough, fair, and independent review and will go where the facts lead.”

Oscar Grant was shot and killed early on New Year’s Day in 2009 at the Fruitvale BART Station. The officer who shot Mr. Grant, Johannes Mehserle, was charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office with murder and convicted of involuntary manslaughter.