LOS ANGELES—Victor McElhaney, 21, was shot and killed during an attempted robbery near campus on Sunday, March 10 where the suspects approached McElhaney and several others who were leaving a strip-mall liquor store, a mile from the USC campus.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a 12:30 a.m., call of a shooting reported on Adams Boulevard and Maple Avenue. McElhaney was taken to the hospital listed in critical condition. He later died from injuries he sustained Sunday morning.
The victim’s mother, Oakland City Councilwoman Lynette McElhaney, spoke about her son’s life in a press conference on Tuesday, March 12.
“Victor’s not a homicide number or statistic, or just another black boy gunned down in South Central Los Angeles,” said Lynette McElhaney. “I want you all to know that Victor came into the world a drummer. He was drumming from the moment he could sit up. I miss my baby. Please keep me, my family, and all of my son’s friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
McElhaney transferred to USC in 2017 to study jazz at the Thornton School of Music. His love for music has been inspiration to share with others as a mentorship to young musicians, with hopes to heal the world.
A memorial is scheduled for McElhaney on Tuesday, March 19, at 6 p.m., on the USC campus.
Los Angeles Robbery Homicide Capt. Billy Hayes, explained during a press conference that the incident was a robbery gone wrong, where the students who were purchasing liquor were approached in the parking lot by three or four men. McElhaney after objecting the attack was shot.
Detectives are investigating surveillance video from nearby businesses to identify the three or four suspects, who have been described as Hispanic males in their 20s fleeing the scene in a newer model dark sedan. No one else was injured during the incident. Authorities have not made any arrests in the case.
