Son of Oakland city councilmember killed in apparent robbery in Los Angeles

The Oakland community is mourning the death of the son of city Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney.

The 21-year-old was shot just a mile and a half from the University of Southern California campus where he attended school to study jazz. 

"His father called me first thing this morning… woke me up out of my sleep and I knew something wasn't right," said Angela Wellman, founding director of the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music.

McElHaney worked at the conservatory before heading to Southern California to attend college and further his studies in music. 

Los Angeles Police said just after midnight near the corner of Maple Avenue and Adams Boulevard, three or four men approached McElHaney and attempted to rob him, leading to the shooting.

Rescue was called to the scene just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday and took McElHaney to the hospital where he passed away around 11 a.m., authorities said. 

Councilwoman McElhaney, who lost a 17-year-old teenager who she considered a grandson to gun violence in 2015, released a statement about her son's death.

"It is with the utmost sadness that I share with you the tragic news that my son, Victor McElhaney, was slain last night in a senseless act of violence. Victor was a 21 year-old senior at USC Thornton School of Music, where he was pursuing his lifelong love of music with some of the greats. 

Victor was a son of Oakland. He was a musician who drew his inspiration from the beat, soul, and sound of the Town and he belonged in every nook and cranny of Oakland.
I miss my baby. Please keep me, my family, and all of my son's friends in your thoughts and prayers.
We are beginning a new chapter in this reoccurring circle of violence...And it will take all of us together to make it through this tragedy.

Arrangements for services in Oakland will be made as soon as Victor is brought home."

Police are still searching for the men who murder the student before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. 

"I heard the news pretty early when I was getting ready for church and  was just extremely devastated and just kind of in shock and disbelief that such a bright soul was taken from us," said Kev Choice, who told us he was a mentee to a Victor McElHaney .

While every loss of life is tragic, McElHaney's death is of note because of his mother's position as a City of Oakland lawmaker, but those who knew him said he made a name for himself in his own right.

They hope the stories that come from his sudden and untimely death center on his accomplishments and the lives in touched in Oakland. 

“He represents all the positive aspects of Oakland. Somebody that was involved in the community. Somebody who was embraced by the community,” said Choice.

The acting head of USC issued a statement Sunday that regarding the death of their student. 
"He believed in the power of music to touch lives, to heal, and to bring hope," she said. "Victor's loss will affect all of the faculty and students who knew him," said USC Interim President Wanda Austin. ""He believed in the power of music to touch lives, to heal, and to bring hope," read the letter Austin issued to student and faculty at USC. “Victor's loss will affect all of the faculty and students who knew him."