Newark police are asking for the public’s help in solving the 2022 death of a man who lapsed into a coma after a fight at a local park, during a memorial service for a shooting victim.
Around 11 p.m. on July 22, 2022, police learned a man was in a coma at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. Identified as Sergio Grageda, a 24-year-old resident of Newark, police said they learned that he was taken by friends to Washington Hospital Healthcare System in Fremont.
The friends reportedly claimed that his injuries were sustained from a fall during a basketball game. However, medical personnel deemed the circumstances surrounding his injuries suspicious, and didn’t match the claims by his friends. Grageda passed away a week later.
Investigators determined that about 7:47 p.m. on July 22, 2022, Grageda was involved in a fight at Ash Street Park in Newark. Officers went to the scene at that time after a passerby reported it to the police but upon arrival, they did not see any indication of a physical altercation.
“During their inquiry into the possible fight, officers encountered a large group of individuals gathered for a memorial service for a recent shooting victim. It was later determined that Sergio was present at this gathering and was involved in an altercation,” police said.
Investigators said there has been a lack of cooperation from potential witnesses.
“The Newark Police Department is reaching out to the community for assistance in raising awareness of this case, in the hope that those with crucial information will come forward. The City of Newark extends our heartfelt condolences to the Grageda family,” they said.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Newark police at (510) 578-4920 or yama.homayoun@newark.org. Anonymous information can also be provided through the tip hotline at (510) 578-4965.
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