On Friday, July 22, 2022, at 10:57 p.m., the Newark Police Department received a report of an adult male in a coma at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. The individual, later identified by authorities as Sergio Grageda, a 24-year-old resident of Newark, was initially taken by friends to Washington Hospital Healthcare System in Fremont. Friends claimed that his injuries were sustained from a fall during a basketball game. Due to the severity of his condition, he was trauma-activated and transferred to Eden Medical Center. Medical personnel deemed the circumstances surrounding his injuries suspicious, as they did not align with the explanation provided by his friends. Tragically, Sergio passed away from his injuries on Friday, July 29, 2022.
The Detective Unit of Newark Police Department launched an investigation, which revealed that Sergio’s injuries were linked to a physical altercation at Ash Street Park in Newark. Earlier in the evening of July 22, 2022, at approximately 7:47 p.m., a passerby reported a group of juveniles involved in a fight at the park. Newark Police officers promptly responded and arrived at the scene within two minutes of receiving the call. Upon their arrival, officers did not observe 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.
The investigation has encountered challenges due to a lack of cooperation from potential witnesses to the incident that led to Sergio’s untimely death. 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.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Newark Police Department Detective Unit Sergeant, Yama Homayoun, at (510) 578-4920 or via email at [email protected]. Information can also be provided anonymously through the “Anonymous Tip” hotline at (510) 578-4965.
