Muralist Shot and Killed While Working on Community Art Project

An artist working on a community mural project in West Oakland was shot and killed this morning. Police responded to reports of gunshots in the 3500 block of West Street at about 10:30 a.m. and found the man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital but was later pronounced dead, according to Oakland police.

The man was working on a mural planned for West Street under the Interstate Highway 580 overpass between 35th and 36th streets. The mural, slated to cover 4,000 square feet of wall, is part of an ongoing project between artists and Oakland students.

Organized by the community group ArtEsteem, the Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project showcases artwork designed by students from various schools in the city. Work on the third mural of six in the project got underway there on Sept. 19. Students from West Oakland Middle School planned to help paint the mural along with professional muralists at an event scheduled for Wednesday, according to project organizers.

Police have not identified the victim and project officials declined to immediately comment further.

By Bay City News

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