USC Music Student, Son Of Oakland Councilwoman, Killed In Robbery

LOS ANGELES, CA — The manhunt continues Monday for a group of men who shot and killed a USC student, whose mother is an Oakland City Council member.

Los Angeles police believe three or four men were involved in the shooting of Victor McElhaney, a 21-year-old student at USC's Thornton School of Music and son of Oakland City Council member Lynette Gibson McElhaney. Family and school officials described McElhaney as a promising student of jazz, who mentored and taught young musicians. His violent death shocked the community Sunday.

The early morning shooting was an apparent robbery attempt gone wrong, according to investigators. It happened after midnight Sunday near the corner of Maple Avenue and Adams Boulevard. According to police, the group of men approached McElhaney and attempted to rob him, leading to the fatal shooting.

"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."

Lynette Gibson McElhaney described her son as "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."

McElhaney's death shocked the USC community. Interim USC President Wanda Austin sent out a statement expressing her sorrow, the Daily Trojan reported.

"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. Tips also can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.