Oakland teen shot and killed in apparent attempted robbery of his backpack

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- We are learning more details about the 15-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Oakland on Monday during what appears to be an attempted robbery.

Fifteen-year-old Derbing Alvarado loved soccer, his mom, dad and sister. His family and community now mourning him.

"This kid was a good kid. He liked sports. He had his mom working so hard," said Maria Hernandez, a close family friend.

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Derbing was a sophomore at Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School. The staff described him as an excellent student.

"He was often the person in the room who would make us laugh the hardest every day," said Irania Cortez Valencia, Director of recruitment and enrollment at Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School. "He just wanted to graduate and make his family very proud of him."

On Monday around 4 p.m., Oakland police received multiple calls about the shooting in East Oakland.

"It's extremely troubling. This is devastating. It's a young man who for all intents and purposes was a model child," said Frederick Shavies, Oakland's deputy chief for the Bureau of Investigations.

All signs point to an attempted robbery. Shavies confirmed they are following multiple leads.

"It appears that they were more than likely attempting to take the backpack but unfortunately one of the suspects was armed with a firearm and when the young man resisted or asked them to stop they opened fire," said Shavies.

MORE: Police search for answers after 14-year-old shot and killed in Oakland

Derbing was walking with three of his friends to soccer practice when police believed the group was targeted.

"He was an excellent student. He had big plans for himself for college and career. He was a motivated athlete. It's a tragic loss for us," said Matt Fondy, co-executive director of Oakland Genesis. "He had big goals for himself. Not just fitness-wise but his academics and supporting his family."

Fondy is urging Oakland leaders to take action after Derbing's killing which is Oakland's 22nd homicide this year.

"Some of the changes that the city and other stakeholders can make so this doesn't happen again and our kids can feel safe. Taking the bus to school, taking the bus to practice," said Fondy.

The community is now preparing a night walk in memory of Derbing on Friday.

The family opened a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses. To donate click here.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact OPD at 510-238-3821.