2012 Oikos University Shooting
Mass Shooting at University
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Oakland, California
TIME PERIOD
April 2, 2012
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
On April 2, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at Oikos University in Oakland, California, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to three others. The incident took place around 10:30 a.m. when One L. Goh, a former student, entered a nursing classroom, ordered students to line up against the wall, and opened fire with a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun. The attack, which is the deadliest mass killing in Oakland's history, concluded with Goh fleeing the scene in a victim's vehicle and later surrendering to police at a nearby Safeway supermarket. Goh was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison, where he died on March 20, 2019.
L. Goh, the shooter, was reportedly frustrated with the school due to academic issues and a lack of support, leading to speculation that personal grievances motivated the attack. Some believe that the shooting was premeditated, as Goh had previously expressed anger towards the institution and its staff. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the shooter may have been struggling with mental health issues, which could have contributed to his violent actions.
The Oikos University Tragedy: A Chronicle of Chaos and Consequence
The Incident
On a seemingly ordinary morning of April 2, 2012, the serene halls of Oikos University in Oakland, California, were shattered by an unimaginable act of violence. Located at 7850 Edgewater Drive, this Korean Christian college became the backdrop for a tragic mass shooting, the deadliest in the city's history. It was around 10:30 a.m. when chaos erupted. A former student, One L. Goh, wielding a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, coldly executed a plan that would leave seven dead and three injured. The attack, which unfolded over a mere three minutes, targeted the staff and students of the university, marking a dark day in Oakland's history.
Inside a nursing classroom, Goh stood up, his intent clear. In a chilling command, he ordered his classmates to line up against the wall and ominously declared, "Get in line... I'm going to kill you all!" Witnesses later recounted this terrifying moment as Goh opened fire. The victims included six students and a receptionist, with six of the seven fatalities being women. After using most of his 40 bullets, Goh fled the campus, leaving behind a scene of devastation. He drove away in a car belonging to one of his victims. Hours later, he surrendered peacefully at a Safeway supermarket in the nearby South Shore area of Alameda, five miles from the university.
The Perpetrator
One L. Goh, born Su Nam Ko on November 18, 1968, in Seoul, South Korea, was the man behind the massacre. He immigrated to the United States at a young age, following his family to Fairfax County, Virginia, before moving to Hayes, Virginia. His journey to the San Francisco Bay Area eventually led him to Oakland, where he resided at the time of the shooting. Known for his introverted nature, Goh changed his name from Su Nam Ko to One L. Goh in 2002, believing his birth name sounded like a girl's.
Goh's life was marred by personal tragedies and financial difficulties. His brother, Su-Wan Ko, a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, died in a car accident in 2011, and his mother passed away shortly after. These events compounded the struggles Goh faced, including disciplinary problems at Oikos University that led to his departure months before the shooting. Chief Howard Jordan of the Oakland Police Department revealed that Goh harbored anger towards the school's administration, particularly over a denied request for a tuition refund. This, coupled with perceived mistreatment by students, fueled his deadly actions on that fateful day.
Goh's life ended on March 20, 2019, while in custody at California State Prison-Sacramento. His death, at the age of 50, was investigated by the Sacramento County coroner's office, though the results were not immediately released.
Legal Proceedings
The legal aftermath of the shooting saw One L. Goh facing severe charges. On April 4, 2012, he was arraigned before Judge Sandra Bean, facing seven counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Initially, Goh did not enter a plea and was hospitalized due to not eating, losing 20 pounds in the process. By April 30, he pleaded not guilty through his public defender, David Klaus. The case's gravity meant that, under California law, he faced the death penalty due to the special circumstances of multiple murders and a carjacking.
Goh's mental state became a focal point during the hearings. On October 1, 2012, a pre-trial hearing was held before Judge Carrie Panetta, where Klaus argued Goh's mental incompetence. Goh's psychiatric evaluations confirmed a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, leading to the conclusion that he was unfit for trial. Judge Panetta ordered his confinement to a mental institution, with reviews set every ninety days.
Despite the indictment by an Alameda County grand jury on August 26, 2014, Goh remained mentally incompetent for trial by September 2014. In a December 2015 hearing, he expressed a desire for the death penalty, though his genuine feelings remained uncertain. In May 2017, Goh pleaded no contest to the charges. On July 14, 2017, he received seven consecutive life sentences plus 271 years, without the possibility of parole.
The Victims
The violent rampage claimed the lives of seven individuals:
- Tshering Rinzing Bhutia, 38
- Doris Chibuko, 40
- Sonam Choedon, 33
- Grace Eunhae Kim, 23
- Katleen Ping, 24
- Judith Seymour, 53
- Lydia Sim, 21
Each name represents a life tragically cut short, leaving a lasting impact on their families and the community.
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Oikos University Shooting
One L. Goh opens fire at Oikos University, killing 7 and injuring 3.
Suspect Arrested
One L. Goh surrenders to police at a nearby Safeway supermarket.
Charges Filed
Goh is arraigned and charged with seven counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Competency Ruling
Goh is ruled unfit to stand trial due to paranoid schizophrenia.
Pleads No Contest
Goh pleads no contest to the charges of murder and attempted murder.
Sentenced
Goh is sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences plus 271 years in prison.
Goh Dies in Prison
One L. Goh dies while in custody at California State Prison-Sacramento.
On April 2, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at Oikos University in Oakland, California, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to three others. The incident took place around 10:30 a.m. when One L. Goh, a former student, entered a nursing classroom, ordered students to line up against the wall, and opened fire with a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun. The attack, which is the deadliest mass killing in Oakland's history, concluded with Goh fleeing the scene in a victim's vehicle and later surrendering to police at a nearby Safeway supermarket. Goh was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison, where he died on March 20, 2019.
L. Goh, the shooter, was reportedly frustrated with the school due to academic issues and a lack of support, leading to speculation that personal grievances motivated the attack. Some believe that the shooting was premeditated, as Goh had previously expressed anger towards the institution and its staff. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the shooter may have been struggling with mental health issues, which could have contributed to his violent actions.
The Oikos University Tragedy: A Chronicle of Chaos and Consequence
The Incident
On a seemingly ordinary morning of April 2, 2012, the serene halls of Oikos University in Oakland, California, were shattered by an unimaginable act of violence. Located at 7850 Edgewater Drive, this Korean Christian college became the backdrop for a tragic mass shooting, the deadliest in the city's history. It was around 10:30 a.m. when chaos erupted. A former student, One L. Goh, wielding a .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, coldly executed a plan that would leave seven dead and three injured. The attack, which unfolded over a mere three minutes, targeted the staff and students of the university, marking a dark day in Oakland's history.
Inside a nursing classroom, Goh stood up, his intent clear. In a chilling command, he ordered his classmates to line up against the wall and ominously declared, "Get in line... I'm going to kill you all!" Witnesses later recounted this terrifying moment as Goh opened fire. The victims included six students and a receptionist, with six of the seven fatalities being women. After using most of his 40 bullets, Goh fled the campus, leaving behind a scene of devastation. He drove away in a car belonging to one of his victims. Hours later, he surrendered peacefully at a Safeway supermarket in the nearby South Shore area of Alameda, five miles from the university.
The Perpetrator
One L. Goh, born Su Nam Ko on November 18, 1968, in Seoul, South Korea, was the man behind the massacre. He immigrated to the United States at a young age, following his family to Fairfax County, Virginia, before moving to Hayes, Virginia. His journey to the San Francisco Bay Area eventually led him to Oakland, where he resided at the time of the shooting. Known for his introverted nature, Goh changed his name from Su Nam Ko to One L. Goh in 2002, believing his birth name sounded like a girl's.
Goh's life was marred by personal tragedies and financial difficulties. His brother, Su-Wan Ko, a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, died in a car accident in 2011, and his mother passed away shortly after. These events compounded the struggles Goh faced, including disciplinary problems at Oikos University that led to his departure months before the shooting. Chief Howard Jordan of the Oakland Police Department revealed that Goh harbored anger towards the school's administration, particularly over a denied request for a tuition refund. This, coupled with perceived mistreatment by students, fueled his deadly actions on that fateful day.
Goh's life ended on March 20, 2019, while in custody at California State Prison-Sacramento. His death, at the age of 50, was investigated by the Sacramento County coroner's office, though the results were not immediately released.
Legal Proceedings
The legal aftermath of the shooting saw One L. Goh facing severe charges. On April 4, 2012, he was arraigned before Judge Sandra Bean, facing seven counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Initially, Goh did not enter a plea and was hospitalized due to not eating, losing 20 pounds in the process. By April 30, he pleaded not guilty through his public defender, David Klaus. The case's gravity meant that, under California law, he faced the death penalty due to the special circumstances of multiple murders and a carjacking.
Goh's mental state became a focal point during the hearings. On October 1, 2012, a pre-trial hearing was held before Judge Carrie Panetta, where Klaus argued Goh's mental incompetence. Goh's psychiatric evaluations confirmed a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, leading to the conclusion that he was unfit for trial. Judge Panetta ordered his confinement to a mental institution, with reviews set every ninety days.
Despite the indictment by an Alameda County grand jury on August 26, 2014, Goh remained mentally incompetent for trial by September 2014. In a December 2015 hearing, he expressed a desire for the death penalty, though his genuine feelings remained uncertain. In May 2017, Goh pleaded no contest to the charges. On July 14, 2017, he received seven consecutive life sentences plus 271 years, without the possibility of parole.
The Victims
The violent rampage claimed the lives of seven individuals:
- Tshering Rinzing Bhutia, 38
- Doris Chibuko, 40
- Sonam Choedon, 33
- Grace Eunhae Kim, 23
- Katleen Ping, 24
- Judith Seymour, 53
- Lydia Sim, 21
Each name represents a life tragically cut short, leaving a lasting impact on their families and the community.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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Oikos University Shooting
One L. Goh opens fire at Oikos University, killing 7 and injuring 3.
Suspect Arrested
One L. Goh surrenders to police at a nearby Safeway supermarket.
Charges Filed
Goh is arraigned and charged with seven counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
Competency Ruling
Goh is ruled unfit to stand trial due to paranoid schizophrenia.
Pleads No Contest
Goh pleads no contest to the charges of murder and attempted murder.
Sentenced
Goh is sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences plus 271 years in prison.
Goh Dies in Prison
One L. Goh dies while in custody at California State Prison-Sacramento.