Oakland City Councilwoman Lynette McElhany accepted her son’s diploma this weekend during USC’s commencement from the Thornton School of Music where her son was a jazz studies major. Victor was shot during a robbery attempt Mar. 10 after exiting a store located a mile and a half from USC’s campus.
The commencement was held the same weekend as mother’s day weekend.
After USC’s commencement McElhany, her husband, as well as over 50 supporters, held a rally in the same South Central Parking lot Victor lost his life.
“It just seemed like the right thing to do this mother’s day,” Lynette McElhany told local media outlets.
The suspects are still at large and are described as three hispanic males in their 20’s, who fled the scene in a dark blue or gray sedan.
“McElhaney’s parents Oakland Councilmember Lynette Gibson McElhaney and her husband Clarence McElhanay joined Price, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, community activists and local nonprofit organizations in raising awareness for street gun violence.
Members of Brothers Breaking B.R.E.A.D., an organization dedicated to uplifting black men at USC, and Black Student Assembly were also in attendance.
“We will not rest until this matter is appropriately resolved and these perpetrators are brought to justice,” Ridley-Thomas said.
In the ongoing police investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department, who was also in attendance in solidarity, said they believe the suspects are three young Latino men, who fled the scene in a four-door dark-colored sedan.
“We are asking for your help, the community’s help to partner with us, to partner with the family in identifying the suspects,” said lieutenant Dan Thompson,” (The Daily Trojan).
