The generosity of a man and his family known on the streets of a Californian city for feeding the homeless and downtrodden has been rewarded in one of the worst ways imaginable - with a bullet to his head and fighting for his life in hospital.

Known in the Oakland neighbourhood as Brother John, the 29-year-old man and his 35-year-old wife for more than a year cooked hot meals at their home and with their young children in tow - first in a pickup and recently in a van equipped with a hot plate - drove a regular route to make sure the less fortunate had a decent meal.

Early on Wednesday, someone in a vehicle opened fire on their van moments after they served a fish dinner to one of their regulars.

Brother John, who is the stepfather of the children, was shot in the head and remains on life support.

His wife was grazed on the shoulder. One child, a three-year-old girl, was hit in the arm. As the bullets ripped through the van, she and her seven-year-old sister were left screaming hysterically.

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