Photo: Evidence seized during search warrants | Berkeley PD
Written By: Jim Emerson
BERKELEY —A woman with a troubled history is in custody again, this time for allegedly shooting a gun near Strawberry Creek Park. She is accused of threatening to shoot a mother accompanying two children at the park, while other children were also present nearby.
In a prepared statement Berkeley police said. “After speaking with witnesses and reviewing security video from the area, investigators identified the suspect. Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant.”
Above: File photo of Tiffany Payne | Berkeley PD
Tiffany Payne, 41, was arrested by Berkeley detectives at her Bay Point residence on November 29th . At the time of her arrest, detectives also recovered a loaded handgun reported stolen in Oakland. Payne is being held in custody at Santa Rita Jail in lieu of $300,000 bond, pending a pretrial court hearing on January 9th .
Payne is implicated in the shooting which occurred August 29th between two apartment buildings adjacent to the park. She allegedly offered a five-year-old child cannabis and then threatened to shoot the child’s mother. At least one gunshot was fired into the air, but no one was injured.
Four felony charges were subsequently filed against Payne. Her charges include discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. She is also charged with making criminal threats and willful cruelty to a child with possible injury.
Payne is no stranger to law enforcement. She was arrested in March of this year for robbery, exhibiting a firearm and vandalism. In addition, she has been arrested several times in recent years for public intoxication and DUIs.
