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Officer Still Critical After Second Surgery Post-Shooting

Fremont Police Chief Craig Steckler

OAKLAND – A Fremont police officer who was shot and critically wounded while attempting to arrest a man in Oakland was improving Sunday after undergoing a successful second round of surgery to repair his bladder.

But Officer Todd Young, 39, remained under heavy sedation and in critical condition at Highland Hospital in Oakland, and will probably need more surgery this week, said Fremont Police Chief Craig Steckler.

Steckler spoke as police and prosecutors prepared a criminal case against a suspected gang member accused of shooting Young during a violent encounter in East Oakland. Charges may be filed as soon as today against Andrew Barrientos, 20, as well as two others accused of helping him try to escape to Mexico. More surgeries likely

Steckler, who has been paying frequent visits to Highland Hospital, said, “The doctors said every hour that passes is very good.” But he added, “It’s still nip and tuck. He’s not out of the woods yet.”

The Fremont chief said Young “has pretty significant bladder and stomach injuries, and they’re thinking he’ll need more surgeries. They’re not going to do complete reconstructive surgery (Sunday), but just try to get things fixed temporarily. When he gets his strength up, they’ll do more.”

Steckler said Young had been sedated since Friday afternoon, when Oakland police said he was hit with two shots while trying to arrest Barrientos at his home on domestic violence charges.

But Young has been able to move his feet, leaving doctors hopeful that he did not suffer paralyzing injuries, Steckler said. Young’s wife has been constantly by his side, and his two children, an 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy, have spoken to him, Steckler said.

Young, who was with Newark police for 10 years before joining Fremont six years ago, has been “a stellar officer for the department,” Steckler said.

Barrientos was booked into jail in San Diego County on Sunday morning, according to jail records. He was being held without bail on suspicion of attempted murder, carjacking and attempted carjacking.

Arrested along with Barrientos was Gustavo Silva, 23, who was jailed on suspicion of being an accessory after a crime. Both men were expected to be moved north and arrive in the Bay Area as soon as today to face charges.

A third suspect, a woman, was arrested at a home in Union City on Saturday, also on suspicion of being an accessory. Alameda County jail records identify her as 40-year-old Antoinette Marie Aguirre.

A prosecutor and inspector from the Alameda County district attorney’s gang unit flew to San Diego after Barrientos’ arrest, said Deputy District Attorney Teresa Drenick.

Young and another Fremont officer assigned to a countywide police task force attempted to arrest Barrientos Friday afternoon for a string of crimes related to an Aug. 12 incident in San Leandro in which he allegedly assaulted the mother of his child while driving, police said.

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