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Police: Oakland Post Editor 'Assassinated'

Thursday, 09 August 2007

OAKLAND (NNPA)

By C. Dianne Howell

Special to the NNPA from the Oakland Post and wire reports

Chauncey Bailey

Chauncey Bailey, 57, editor-in-chief of all five editions of the Post Newspaper and long time reporter covering the African-American and other communities, was gunned down in the street at 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning, August 2.

Devaughdre Broussard, 19, has been arrested for the murder. Police says he has confessed to the shotgun murder, saying he killed Bailey because of stories he was writing on the bakery where he worked as a handyman, according to reports.

Bailey had been reporting on the finances of Your Black Muslim Bakery.

Already on probation for a robbery conviction in San Francisco, Broussard was arrested last Friday along with six other people in an early-morning police raid on the bakery and adjacent buildings. Reports quote police as saying they recovered the shotgun they believe was used to kill Bailey at the house in which Broussard was living near the bakery.

Bailey was shot at the corner of 14th and Alice streets in downtown Oakland, apparently on his way to work. Roland Holmgren, Oakland police spokesman, said witnesses told police that a single gunman, wearing a mask, shot Bailey several times and fled.

Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland had offered up to $25,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Chauncey Bailey grew up in east Oakland and was a member of St. Benedict's Church. He was one of 5 children, three of whom survive him. He was divorced and had one teenaged son who lives in Southern California.

For over 20 years Bailey covered the African-American community for the Oakland Tribune. Prior to writing for the Tribune, he wrote for the Detroit News, UPI, and the Hartford Courant. After leaving the Tribune, he continued to distinguish himself as a reporter on issues of concern to all communities. He was a popular reporter for KDIA radio and Soul Beat TV, and wrote for various other publications, including the Sun Reporter and the Globe. Most recently he was one of the producers, co-founders and hosts for OUR-TV (Comcast Channel 78).

In June, he was promoted to become the editor-in-chief of all of the Post Newspapers - Oakland, Berkeley Tri-City, Richmond, San Francisco and South County.

''Chauncey and I were scheduled to meet this morning to organize the launch of our ‘Good-News' publication, but his life was cut short. Now, the bad news is that the ‘GoodNews' is put on hold." said Paul Cobb, Publisher of the Post Newsgroup. "He was so proud of his new position [as editor of the Post] and was embarrassed and humbled by the respect and accolades the community gave him. Let's continue his legacy by being unafraid to print the truth -- stories which need to be told."

Bailey was recently honored as one of 101+ Outstanding Men in Our Community honored at the Black Expo Gala. "We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of such a treasure in our community. Chauncey Bailey was chosen to be honored because he has distinguished himself so highly as an advocate for and reporter on issues of concern to underserved and underreported communities. We join with so many throughout the country in our grief and our sense that our community has lost a great individual," said producer of Black Expo and publisher of the Black Business Listings.

Bailey's reputation for fighting for African-Americans and justice for the oppressed is reflected in the reactions of those who knew his work.

"Chauncey will be missed. He was at every media event and he always asked the first question,'' said Oakland Mayor Ronald V. Dellums. ''His questions were thoughtful and you knew that he sought to truly inform the public."

U. S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) says she hopes his death will shed new light on the problems of crime and violence in American cities.

"It is my hope that the perpetrators of this horrible crime are brought to justice swiftly, and that Chauncey's untimely death will bring our community together and strengthen our collective hand in rooting out this type of violence.''

Although violence is an ongoing problem in Oakland, news of the assassination-style killing was particularly riveting.

"I'm shocked and saddened at the senseless act that took the life of this dedicated father and sensitive human being,'' said State Assemblyman Sandre Swanson.

Bailey's pastor, Father Jay Mathews, of St. Benedict's Church, recalls Bailey's hunger for truth.

"Chauncey always wanted to be considered as serious journalist and would go to great lengths to follow his leads - even to places like Iran. How tragic it is that he becomes a victim in his own beloved community. We must ban together s a community, to proclaim ‘enough is enough!!' - and be serious about it."

Bailey's style of journalism caused his former newsroom at the Oakland Post Tribune, to flourish, said Martin Reynolds, Managing Editor, Oakland Tribune.

"Chauncey's coverage at the Oakland Tribune...was essential to the paper,'' Reynolds said. ''His was a voice and perspective we have not had since he left...His Tribune family sends condolences...his journalistic contributions will be sorely missed.''

Bailey did much more than print media. He was multi-talented for radio and television and used them all for justice.

"To me, Chauncey Bailey was a driving force, a cofounder of OUR TV, Comcast Channel 78, and my advisor,'' Leonard Stephens, CEO/President, OUR TV, Comcast Channel 78. ''Chauncey was a soundboard for the community using TV and newspapers as a platform to be able to report important news the community needed to hear.''

Bob Butler, President of the Bay Area Black Journalists Association said, "Bailey was an example among his peers.''

"African-Americans have lost a champion and the world has lost an outstanding journalist."

Despite his outspokeness, Bailey was also known for his ethics and professionalism, says David Glover, executive director of OCCUR and a long-time personal friend of Bailey's.

"I have no idea why anyone would do this. Chauncey Bailey was a consummate professional...It's just shocking and unbelievable."

He impacted lives and was especially proud of doing that through the Black Press, many said.

"Chauncey has always been proud to represent the Black Press and always would strive to show the Black community as well as the general media the professional skills of Black reporters,'' says Jeff Douvel, a colleague of Bailey's for over 15 years. ''As an activist for many grass root causes you were very fortunate if Chauncey took on your cause.''

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