Friends and family are mourning the tragic death of Antonio Ramos, a California-based artist who was fatally shot while working on a community art project Tuesday morning.
According to ABC News, the 27-year-old man was one of several local artists who was helping complete a 4,000-square-foot mural led by Attitudinal Healing Connection, an organization in Oakland, Calif. that strives to end community violence through art and education.
"Attitudinal Healing Connection is one of the most heartfelt organizations in the city and provides hope and opportunity for young people, and I know their people well,” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf told ABC News. “Every loss of life is tragic and I had a very tragic heart when I learned about this."
The Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project was conceptualized by a group of middle-school students, who were asked to imagine themselves with super powers to solve their community’s problems. The mural, which was being painted under a freeway overpass, featured a young boy who had the ability to heal and end violence. It was an uplifting and empowering project that unfortunately became a scene of tragedy.
According to ABC News, friends of Ramos say a man was messing around with the group’s paint equipment at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. When Ramos told him to stop, the man opened fire and shot Ramos multiple times.
The gunman fled the scene before police had arrived. Law enforcement is still searching for the suspect, and are asking anyone with information to contact the Oakland Police Department.
Organizers of the Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project have vowed to complete the piece and dedicate it to Ramos, who had been involved with the project since 2012.
You can donate to the mural project here. The Ramos family is also taking donations to help with the funeral costs.
