The USC community mourns an Oakland music student

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – The murder of a student of beloved music has caused emotional turmoil from the University of Southern California up to northern California.

Victor McElhaney, 21, was a percussionist at the Thornton School of Music of USC. He was the son of Lynette Gibson McElhaney, a member of the Oakland City Council.

McElhaney was shot in a convenience store parking lot early Sunday morning about one kilometer from the USC campus. Some friends say that he lived nearby.

The campus is quiet this week in the spring, but the Trojan community is in mourning.

"It was a very difficult person to meet," said his friend Derek Garlinton. "He just brought a lot of energy to the school, I will honestly miss him, he was a really good guy."

McElhaney was from Oakland.

In a written statement, his mother said:

"Victor was a son of Oakland.He was a musician who inspired the rhythm, soul and sound of the city.He belonged to every nook and cranny of the city. 39; Oakland.

I'm bored of my baby. Please keep me, my family and all my son's friends in your thoughts and prayers. "

The LAPD investigates fatal murder. They published little information, indicating only that they were still looking for the four men involved.

The university said it was planning a memorial service for McElhaney.