This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
A USC student was shot and killed by a suspect during an attempted robbery early Sunday near the University of Southern California main campus. Victor McElhaney was shot around 12:20 a.m. at the corner of Maple Avenue and Adams Boulevard, police told USC Annenberg Media. He was the son of  Oakland City Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney, his mother confirmed in a written statement.
Victor McElhaney (right) Celebrating his 21st Birthday with his mom Councilmember Lynette McElhaney (Center) and father Clarence McElhaney (left) at Luca's Taproom in Oakland. (Credit: City of Oakland)
Victor McElhaney (right) Celebrating his 21st Birthday with his mom Councilmember Lynette McElhaney (center) and father Clarence McElhaney (left) at Luca’s Taproom in Oakland. (Credit: City of Oakland)
Police said three or four suspects approached McElhaney and one shot him. The group then fled the scene in a vehicle. Police called it a “possible robbery.” It is unclear if anything was taken. When first responders arrived, McElhaney was in critical condition and taken to a local hospital. He died of his injuries around 11 a.m. No arrests have been made, and there is no suspect information at this time. Councilwoman McElhaney said in her statement that her son was killed “in a senseless act of violence.” “Victor was a 21 year-old senior at USC Thornton School of Music, where he was pursuing his lifelong love of music with some of the greats,” the mother said. “Victor was 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.” “I miss my baby. Please keep me, my family, and all of my son’s friends in your thoughts and prayers,” she said. “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.” Services were yet to be arranged. USC Interim President Wanda Austin, in a letter to students posted on Facebook, said McElhaney was enrolled in the Jazz Studies program, having transferred to USC in the fall of 2017. Students in need of grief counseling can call the Crisis Counselors at USC Student Health at 213-740-9355.