Ralph Allen Leon Quarles, a 21-year-old Oakland native, was tragically shot and killed on April 1, 2014, in East Oakland. He was driving near Seminary Avenue when the shooting occurred, and another passenger in the vehicle was also struck but survived. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and the case has not been solved.
Ralph was well-known in his community, having attended local schools such as Montera Middle School and Oakland Tech before graduating from Emiliano Zapata Street Academy in 2010. He had aspirations beyond high school, enrolling in Tuskegee University in Alabama and later attending Laney College in Oakland. At the time of his death, he had been working towards a career in cement masonry through a local training program.
Despite his young age, Ralph had already made a strong impact on those around him, particularly through his love for sports and music. He played football for Oakland Tech and had a passion for basketball, even helping to establish a basketball team at his high school. Additionally, he pursued rap music under the name “Ralow LaFlare” and enjoyed spending time in the recording studio with friends and family.
Ralph's untimely death left a deep void in his family, including his mother, sisters, and the unborn child he left behind. His family and community continue to seek justice for his death, as the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unresolved.
