A California baker – who identified as an anarchist and social justice advocate – died after she was the victim of a brutal theft. Fam...
A California baker – who identified as an anarchist and social justice advocate – died after she was the victim of a brutal theft. Family and friends don't want the criminals who are linked to her death to be prosecuted because that would allegedly go against the woman's values.
Jennifer Angel went to a Wells Fargo bank branch in Oakland on Monday afternoon. A car pulled in front of her vehicle and blocked her from leaving, Angel's fiance, Ocean Mottley, told the San Francisco Chronicle.
A spokesperson with the Oakland Police Department said that around 12:30 p.m., "an individual broke into" Angel’s car while she was in it and stole an item, then ran back "to a waiting vehicle."
Angel chased after the thief and got caught in the door of the fleeing car. She was reportedly dragged down the street for more than 50 feet, hitting her head several times.
She was rushed to Highland Hospital, where she was put into a medically-induced coma. Angel underwent emergency surgery, and part of her skull was removed to help with severe swelling in her brain.
Jennifer died from her injuries sustained in the robbery on Thursday. Doctors confirmed that Angel had lost all brain function.
Family and friends of Angel issued a statement.
"It's with very heavy hearts that we announce that Oakland baker, small business owner, social justice activist, and community member Jen Angel has been medically declared to have lost all brain function and will not regain consciousness. Her official time of death was 5:48 p.m.," the statement began.
The family and friends said, "We know Jen would not want to continue the cycle of harm by bringing state-sanctioned violence to those involved in her death or to other members of Oakland’s rich community. As a long-time social movement activist and anarchist, Jen did not believe in state violence, carceral punishment, or incarceration as an effective or just solution to social violence and inequity."
The statement said that Angel "worked toward an ecologically sustainable" society, where "people are free and equal."
The friends and family proclaimed that the criminals involved in Jennifer's death should not be prosecuted.
"If the Oakland Police Department does make an arrest in this case, the family is committed to pursuing all available alternatives to traditional prosecution, such as restorative justice," the statement declared.
The family and friends said that Jennifer's death should not be used to "further inflame narratives of fear, hatred, and vengeance, nor to advance putting public resources into policing, incarceration, or other state violence that perpetuates the cycles of violence that resulted in this tragedy."
Angel's friend Emily Harris told KGO-TV, "We are really trying to orient towards her brilliant life, and that actually, she is not a person who would support the policing and imprisonment of the people who harmed her."
"Feels like absolutely an opportunity to stand in her values, and support the world that she wants," Harris said. "By actually showing that something different than actual policing and prosecution is possible, and is how we can have accountability."
The Oakland Police Department is asking for the public's assistance to find the suspects, and anyone with information on the crime should call 510-238-3326. Crime Stoppers of Oakland is offering up to $7,500 for information leading to the arrest of the criminals, and tips can be provided at 510-777-8572.