A USC student was fatally shot Sunday in an apparent robbery attempt near the campus, Los Angeles police said.
It happened just after midnight near the corner of Maple Avenue and Adams Boulevard, according to the LAPD.
Three or four men approached the victim and attempted to rob him, leading to the shooting, authorities said.
The victim was identified as Victor McElhaney, a 21-year-old student at USC’s Thornton School of Music and son of Oakland City Council member Lynette Gibson McElhaney.
“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,” the councilwoman said. “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.”
Interim USC President Wanda Austin sent out a statement informing the USC community of McElhaney’s death, the Daily Trojan reported.
In it she expressed her condolences to his family and friends.
“He believed in the power of music to touch lives to heal and to bring hope,” Austin said.
McElhaney — who transferred to USC in 2017 — was part of the USC Jazz studies program with an interest in the relationship between music and social and political movements. He also mentored young musicians and taught at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music.
Anyone with information on the homicide was asked to call LAPD’s Southwest Division at (213) 485-2582.
Tipsters also can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.