McClymonds High School reunion turns deadly; alumnus killed
OAKLAND, Calif. - The annual McClymonds High School reunion at DeFremery Park in West Oakland turned deadly after an alumnus was killed during the festivities, which have been hosted for decades.
A 38-year-old man, identified by a close friend as Tony Miller, just days shy of his 39th birthday, was killed on Saturday following a shooting during the high school reunion around 7:30 p.m. at Defremery Park, Oakland police said.
Friend Sam McNeil said Miller was a fun-loving father and he shared pictures of him playing at Top Golf in Santa Clara the night before he was shot.
He said Miller had a passion for helping others and worked for Urban Alchemy in San Francisco, which provides jobs for formerly incarcerated people.
McClymonds High School Principal Darielle Davis referred to the man as a "fallen alumni."
At a news conference on Sunday, Davis said it was really "heartbreaking to lose a member of your community who was beloved, especially in front of the entire community."
Miller was taken to a local hospital following the shooting, where he died. When the gunfire rang out, DeFemery Park was full of hundreds of families, including children.
Deputy Police Chief Fred Shaves noted what a tight community McClymonds High is.
The shooting marks Oakland's 70th homicide of the year.
Police said they don't know if the shooting was targeted.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao condemned the violence on Sunday.
"I am deeply saddened there was a shooting at the McClymonds Alumni Action Committee reunion picnic at DeFremery Park," she said. "We will not tolerate this type of violence, especially at a peaceful annual gathering…My heart is with the family of the victim and the entire McClymonds and West Oakland community."
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Police said they believe there may have been more than one shooter.
There were no other reported injuries.
Davis said the school will have additional staff for mental health support and security.
During a press conference Sunday morning, Davis assured the campus was safe.
"We are working really hard to make sure that anyone who was impacted [the shooting] has the support that they need to come to school," Davis said.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department's Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821.