West Oakland mural dedicated in memory of slain artist
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- A community mural in West Oakland was dedicated on Wednesday in memory of Antonio Ramos, a 27-year-old artist who was shot and killed while working on the project.
"We love you Antonio," said Amana Harris with Attitudinal Healing Center. "We love you from the bottom of our hearts. Through your sacrifice, you have made this work shine beyond our wildest dreams."
Three weeks ago, Ramos was shot once by a passerby who he had exchanged just a few words with; a man who has not been identified or arrested.
"We have to look at the infrastructure of what led up to this today," said Ramos' brother, Le Ano Rice. "Don't forget these stories, don't forget these harmonics on these walls right now. Every time you drive by, these are human harmonics."
After Ramos was killed, the work to finish went on under the leadership of lead artist Javier Rocabado.
VIDEO: Witness describes moments before artist murdered in Oakland
"We really wanted to finish this mural as it was desigbned and its purpose," he said.
This is the third of six planned murals. The project will continue, with its original goal to bring a vision of peace to a neighborhood that too often sees something else.
Earlier this month, Oakland police released a photo of a person of interest wanted in connection with Ramos' murder.
