Hakim Oden, a 25-year-old resident of El Cerrito, has received a sentence of 50 years to life in prison following his guilty plea for the first-degree murder of his coworker, Taiepisi Gutu. Gutu was only 19 years old and was killed in an incident in San Francisco on March 25, 2019—the same day he started his job.

Incident Overview

According to the District Attorney’s statements, Gutu was murdered on his birthday while at the San Francisco Conservation Corps (SFCC) building in the Mission District. Reports indicate that Oden, motivated by jealousy, confronted Gutu after observing him with a woman he was interested in.

Upon following the two individuals into the building, Oden, described as having his hood up and hand in his pocket, approached Gutu from behind and shot him in the back of the head. Gutu succumbed to his injuries shortly after at the hospital.

Apprehension and Sentencing

Following the shooting, Oden fled to Southern California but was apprehended after engaging in a shootout with California Highway Patrol officers in Riverside County, located near the Arizona border.

In addition to the murder conviction, Oden also faced sentencing for a separate robbery incident dating back to 2016. He pled guilty to this prior charge, and the sentence will run concurrently with his murder sentence.

Statements from Officials

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins emphasized the tragic nature of the case, stating, “While nothing we do can bring the victim back, I hope that this outcome brings a measure of closure and healing to his friends and family.”

Assistant District Attorney Charly Weissenbach further remarked on the brutality of the crime, expressing that “no family member or friend deserves to learn that their loved one was murdered on their 19th birthday, especially in a cowardly execution from behind while simply waiting for an elevator.”