75-year-old man taking smoke break during Warriors game killed in Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. - Earl Rhue loved life, and he lived it to the fullest all the time.

Now, his close family friends Maria Rosa Keys and her daughter, Maria Martens, are grieving his loss. 

The two told KTVU that the 75-year-old was visiting their home in East Oakland on Wednesday night watching a Warriors game from his favorite chair.

He went outside for a smoke break in his car about 7:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of 9th Avenue.

"We heard a gunshot," Keys said. "But the television was on really loud."

Then she heard someone scream, "help!"

Within minutes, they saw patrol lights outside. 

Keys says that's when she realized Rhue had been shot.   

Police say he was taken to the hospital where he died.

"Shocked to know that's what happened," Martens said. "And how fast it happened." 

Six months ago, Rhue was speaking at the celebration of life for Key's husband, Calvin. The two were close.

Keys described Rhue as a "Renaissance man," who earned a masters' degree at Cal.

He worked as a NASA engineer and puppeteer for Children's Fairyland. 

Most recently, he was a food delivery driver.

Keys suspects that someone tried to carjack Rhue while he was in his car.     

Keys said that Rhue was a source of strength and comfort for her family. 

"In addition to the brilliant mind he had, he also just loved people," Keys said. "What happened last night was so tragic we're still reeling from it, and we will be for a long time." 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at 238-7950. If anyone has videos or photos that could assist with the investigation, send them to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.