OAKLAND — The shooting death of a 15-year-old boy Monday afternoon as he walked to soccer practice was a “cruel act of violence” acted out in a “cowardly” way, according to a message on a fundraising site that had collected more than $40,000 by Wednesday afternoon.
Derbing Jose Alvarado Gonzalez, a student at Cristo Rey De La Salle High, died at a hospital following the hail of gunfire just after 4:15 p.m. in the 1400 block of 100th Avenue, police said. Two people tried to rob him just before the shooting, police said.
Police identified him Wednesday.
A message in Spanish and English from friends and endorsed by the family on the fundraising site identified him as Derbing Alvarado.
The grieving community left behind also organized a walk for Friday to call an end to the violence that ended his life.
“The life of this beautiful angel was taken in a cowardly manner in an attempted robbery,” the fundraising message, in Spanish and translated to English, read on the site. “We are asking for the cooperation of our community and friends to help his parents in this difficult time.”
As of noon Wednesday, the fundraiser had generated $40,375.
Police have not announced any arrests, released any suspect information or said what the motive for the shooting may be.
“He was a 15-year-old teenager with a life ahead of him who saw his life cut short by a cruel act of violence in our community of Oakland,” the fundraising statement read.
According to authorities, Derbing was walking with several other people to a soccer practice not affiliated with the school when two people came up to him and demanded his backpack. At some point in the interaction, gunfire rang out, mortally wounding him.
Friends have told police that the teen was a kind, polite kid who didn’t have any known conflicts with people.
When the family visited police headquarters Wednesday, they told authorities that Derbing loved soccer, wanted to be a police officer and was a good kid who liked sticking up for his friends. He had a younger sister and was going to turn 16 next month.
“He was the best son anybody could ever have,” the family told police. “He was the best example for his sister.”
At his former school, officials said extra counselors would be available to offer one-on-one counseling, spiritual guidance, prayer space, grief workshops and other healing exercises.
“First and foremost, we want to respect the family’s privacy, space and grief,” Cristo Rey De La Salle High officials wrote in a statement posted on the school’s web site. “No parent should have to deal with such a devastating tragedy. We are here to support them on their terms and their timeline. We urge those concerned to join us in this: to hold people when they are hurting.”
A group called Faith in Action also organized a walk Friday night in the teen’s honor. The “Ceasefire Night Walk” will happen at 6 p.m. beginning at the St. Louis Bertrand Parish at 1410 100th Ave.
The homicide was the 22nd killing investigated by Oakland police this year. A year ago at this time, they had investigated 16.