Lamar Murphy, a 16-year-old high school junior from Hayward, California, tragically lost his life on January 23, 2017. Lamar was shot and killed while riding his bicycle to a neighborhood store near his home in unincorporated Alameda County. The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. at the corner of Princeton Street and Smalley Avenue. Despite being a nonviolent and nonconfrontational individual, Lamar was targeted by two suspects.
One suspect, described as a Hispanic male in his teens or early twenties, exited a silver Ford Explorer and fired multiple shots at Lamar before fleeing the scene in the vehicle driven by an accomplice.
Lamar's death left his family and friends devastated. His father, Phillip Rushing, expressed his disbelief and sorrow, emphasizing that Lamar was a respectful and loving young man with dreams of going to college and becoming a nurse. The community held vigils and released balloons in his memory, hoping to bring attention to the case and encourage witnesses to come forward.
The investigation into Lamar's murder has been ongoing, with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office actively seeking information to solve the case. Despite the passage of time, no arrests have been made, and the suspects remain at large. The Sheriff's Office has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Lamar's death. Detective Pat Smyth, the lead investigator, has urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing the importance of justice for Lamar and his grieving family.
In the years following the murder, Lamar's mother, Tonya Richards, has continued to seek justice for her son. She has posted flyers and spoken publicly about the case, hoping to keep the investigation alive and find closure. The community's support and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement highlight the impact of Lamar's loss and the determination to bring his killers to justice.
