Student slain at Uptown Murmur

Kiante Campbell, a student in the Gateway to College program held on the Laney campus, was shot and killed at the First Friday Art Murmur on Feb. 1. He was 18 years old.

According to a memo sent by the office of Laney College President Elnora Web, “Kiante was a part of the Bunche Continuation School community. Seeing college as a means to achieve success, Kiante was committed to breaking through the fog of violence, poverty, and apathy that continues to devastate the Oakland community.”

“Kiante, like many of our students, came to Laney to pursue his goals for a brighter future,” said Janelle S. Tillotson, Campbell’s counselor in the Gateway to College Program. “He had every reason to be angry about his life and his circumstances, but he wasn’t; he shined.”

According to the Oakland Tribune, the shooting occurred after an altercation in the parking lot of a beauty supply business on Telegraph between 20th and 21st streets just after 10:50 p.m.

One of Campbell’s friends, a 17-year-old, was also shot. Two stray bullets injured a 24-year-old woman from Oakland, and a 29-year-old woman from San Francisco. All three are expected to recover.

On Saturday night, Feb 2, Oakland police arrested an 18-year-old Oakland Technical High School senior in connection with the shooting. The police will not release his name until he is formally charged by the Alameda County District Attorney.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic shooting that occurred in the Uptown area last night in Oakland,” an Oakland Art Murmur spokesperson said in a statement. “We offer our prayers to the families of the victims. We also offer our prayers to the city of Oakland, the state of California and the entire country. This is another example of the epidemic of gun violence erupting across America.”

Funeral services will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA 94611. The services will be preceded by a viewing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.