McElhaney's mom, Oakland City Councilmember Lynette Gibson-McElhaney, phoned her best friend, JoAnna Bullock, Sunday at 3 am and told her "Victor was shot in the head. Victor was shot in the head."
[Ads /]
"I think those of us who have love for the McElhaney family have been numb, just numb with the news, with this devastating loss," said Bullock.
RELATED: Oakland City Council member's son killed in shooting near USC
Bullock says Gibson-McElhaney asked her to be in court Monday in Oakland for closing arguments in a case involving the murder of Gibson-McElhaney's grandson, Torion Hughes, three years ago.
Hughes was gunned down near the West Oakland BART station in 2015.
[Ads /]
"It feels like a member of my family has been taken away and I speak for everyone at our church who knew Lynette this hurts deeply," said Bob Mitchell, a family friend.
Victor McElhaney was a gifted jazz musician and student at USC. Friends call him loving and brilliant.
LA City Councilmembers say they've talked to Gibson-McElhaney and are trying to assist her in getting her son's body released so it can be transported back home. Friends of the family say that's the goal-bring Victor back and celebrating his life in Oakland.