California muralist killed doing anti-violence project

An evidence technician waits to measure the scene of a fatal shooting in the 3500 block of West Street, beneath Interstate 580, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland Police officials say an artist working on a community mural in a freeway underpass was shot and killed after an apparent argument with the shooter. (D. Ross Cameron/Oakland Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT An evidence technician waits to measure the scene of a fatal shooting in the 3500 block of West Street, beneath Interstate 580, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland Police officials say an artist working on a community mural in a freeway underpass was shot and killed after an apparent argument with the shooter. (D. Ross Cameron/Oakland Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press September 30, 2015 2 min read

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – An artist was shot and killed in Oakland while he was helping to paint a street-side mural for a group that works to spread peace and stop violence, authorities said.

Police spokeswoman Johnna Watson said Wednesday officers were searching for the shooter as friends mourned Antonio Ramos, 27, during a vigil at the mural site.

Watson said an argument Tuesday at the West Oakland site under an Interstate 580 overpass led to the shooting. She declined to release further details about the crime while the investigation is ongoing.

Ramos was part of a group of about 10 artists who were working on project. No one else was injured.

The idyllic painting of trees, a creek and brightly colored Victorian houses contrasts sharply with the parts of West Oakland that are struggling to cope with drugs, poverty and violence.