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."
"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.
"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.
Oakland city council member Lynette Gibson-McElhaney is working with LA city council members to get her son’s body released to come home to Oakland after he was shot to death near USC Sunday. Photo credit: Clarence McElhaney #abc7news pic.twitter.com/3j99HQsSry
— Leslie Brinkley (@lrbrinkley) March 12, 2019
Anti-gun advocate and Oakland city council Member Lynette Gibson-McElhaney and her son Victor. He was shot to death near USC Sunday. Friends and family “numb “ with grief. #abc7news pic.twitter.com/xieYqrh1yZ
— Leslie Brinkley (@lrbrinkley) March 12, 2019
Double Tragedy: an Oakland musician and USC student- Victor McElhaney- shot and killed in LA on the weekend. His mother is an Oakland City councilmember. 3 years ago her grandson was shot to death. Photo credit Clarence McElhaney #abc7news pic.twitter.com/aD1WHtT3uS
— Leslie Brinkley (@lrbrinkley) March 12, 2019
Musician and USC student Victor McElhaney is described as brilliant and loving. He was gunned down near campus on Sunday. A memorial will be planned in Oakland. Photo credit Clarence McElhaney #abc7news pic.twitter.com/rYewIcX2Cl
— Leslie Brinkley (@lrbrinkley) March 12, 2019