Disturbing footage has emerged showing a police officer jokingly reacting after a high-speed chase led to the death of a bystander. In June 2022, Oakland police were pursuing a driver without authorization, and the chase ended tragically when the suspect crashed into 27-year-old Lolomanaia Soakai, killing him.
Instead of aiding the victim, officers were caught on camera making jokes about the situation, with one officer saying, “I hope he’s dead.” This unsettling 25-minute video was shared as part of the discovery process in a lawsuit filed by Soakai’s family against the City of Oakland.
The footage comprises surveillance and body camera clips. It begins with 19-year-old Arnold Rinaldi performing donuts in his car before speeding off on International Boulevard, pursued by officers Walid Abdelaziz and Jimmy Marin Coronel.
The pursuit, referred to as a “ghost chase,” occurred without the police using lights or sirens, a point emphasized in court documents. Officers closely followed Rinaldi but did not activate any warning signals during the chase.
Amid the pursuit, Abdelaziz swerved dangerously close to pedestrians, audibly expressing his frustration. “I’m going to run your stupid ass over,” he reportedly said. Following this reckless chase, a violent crash ensued, leaving Soakai motionless on the sidewalk as blood pooled around him. His mother, who was also injured, was seen beside him, crying out for her son.
The video captures the aftermath, with Abdelaziz questioning whether a collision had occurred. Marin Coronel expressed a grim sentiment about the driver, stating, “I hope he’s dead,” while video evidence showed officers leaving without assisting Soakai.
According to the family’s attorney, Adante Poynter, the officers seemed to act as though they were unaware of the incident and returned later. Poynter also alleged that the police turned off Rinaldi’s body camera and deleted video footage before his arrest.
Following the incident, one of the officers resigned, with Poynter accusing the police of shirking their responsibilities. “These officers took every opportunity to tarnish their oath and badge,” he said.
The case is currently in federal court in San Francisco. Responses to inquiries from the Oakland City Attorney’s Office and the Oakland Police Department have not been forthcoming.
