Student dies from shooting at bar parking lot
May 10, 2007
UPDATED at 7 p.m. on Friday. Memorial service postponed.
A 20-year-old Sacramento State student died at 5:55 p.m. at UC Davis Medical Center on Wednesday from a 1 a.m. shooting at the Library Eats and Drinks bar.
Coroner officials identified the victim Thursday morning as Kebret Tekle. The sophomore was member of the Eta Lambda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a black sorority, and a committee chair for the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Tekle graduated in 2004 from James Logan High School, located in Union City. During high school, she was a member of the National Forensic League.
Officer Konrad Von Schoech of the Sacramento City Police Department said on Wednesday that the department received calls about the shooting, located across from the university’s Folsom Boulevard entrance, at 12:58 a.m. After a dispute inside the bar moved into the parking lot, witnesses said several gunshots were fired, and Tekle, who police described as an innocent bystander, was struck in the neck while in her car.
The incident began inside the nightclub when two groups of suspected gang members started a fight and were later escorted outside by security, according to a Sacramento City Police press release.
In the parking lot, a member of one of the groups pulled out a firearm and the other group got into its car and sped off, police said.
The Greek community held a coin drive fundraiser for the Tekle family during the Greek Sing and Dance Competition. The event began at 10 a.m. on Friday in the University Union Ballroom.
A memorial service for Tekle is being planned by Davin Brown, director of Student Life and Services.
Aa Facebook group, titled “We Love you Kebret,” was created with comments from friends written on “The Wall.”
“I love all of the joy, laughter, and the memories,” wrote Edidiong B. Uwan, a family and consumer sciences major. “You will deeply be missed, I will forever remember that infectious smile that could lighten any mood. … I am truly a better person to have had you in my life. I love you Kebret. Your family is in my prayers. You are in my heart forever.”
Chauncey Corbin, a senior on the track and field team, wrote that he wanted to remember fond memories of Tekle.
“She is a great woman that broght (sic) lots of individuals togther which shows just how great she is,” Corbin wrote. “When we see each other again you still owe me a dance!!!”
Sac State reserved the University Union Ballroom on Wednesday night for friends and family members to gather and mourn. Clinical psychologists from the Counseling Center were available to console mourners on Wednesday night, and the Ballroom was open until 6 a.m., Varlotta said.
“We will make counseling services available to any student, group or class on campus,” Varlotta said on Wednesday.
In an e-mail sent to the campus community on Wednesday, President Alexander Gonzalez conveyed empathy for the victim.
“I would like to express our shock and sadness about the shooting of one of our students earlier this morning near campus,” he said.
Gonzalez said it is important for the campus community to come together to support the family.
“This is a sad day for the campus,” Gonzalez said. “It will be important in the days and weeks ahead that we are supportive of those who have been deeply affected.”
The suspect is described as a 5-foot-7-inch man between 20 and 25, and was last seen wearing a jacket with a fur collar.
It is unknown whether the suspect is affiliated with Sac State.
“He may have been driving a four-door Sedan with no plates,” the University Police press release stated.
Von Schoech said he doesn’t know if any previous violent incidences have occurred at the bar.
“This seems to be one act, not an ongoing incident,” Von Schoech said.
Lt. Daniel Davis said on Wednesday that the University Police is enhancing patrols and has posted alert bulletins around campus. University Police urges the campus community to be alert to their surroundings and to report suspicious activities. University Police can be reached at (916) 278-6851. Sacramento City Police asks that anyone who knows about the incident or suspects contact them at (916) 264-5481.
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