Oakland Mourns 17-Year-Old Lazarvis Brown Killed in Early Morning Shooting
A wave of sorrow has gripped the city of Oakland following the tragic death of 17-year-old Lazarvis Brown, who was fatally shot during a violent incident in the early morning hours of June 25, 2025. What should have been another quiet night in the city’s East Oakland neighborhood quickly turned into a devastating scene of bloodshed, leaving a young life cut short and a community in mourning.
According to the Oakland Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 2:15 a.m. on the 2500 block of 46th Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Brown, a local high school student, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims, whose names have not been released, were transported to a nearby hospital and remain in critical condition.
Police have launched a homicide investigation and are working to determine the motive behind the shooting. No arrests have been made as of yet, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Crime scene investigators spent several hours combing through evidence, canvassing the area, and speaking to neighbors and potential witnesses. Surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses is being reviewed in hopes of identifying suspects or gaining insight into what led to the deadly violence.
The news of Brown’s death has sent shockwaves through his school, his neighborhood, and the greater Oakland community. Friends and family members describe him as a bright, warm-hearted teen who loved basketball, music, and spending time with his siblings. He had dreams of one day becoming a graphic designer and was working hard to graduate high school.
“He was just a good kid trying to make it,” said his aunt, visibly shaken as she stood at a growing memorial of candles, balloons, and handwritten notes. “He didn’t deserve this. None of these kids do.”
Teachers and classmates at his school have also expressed deep grief, recalling his humor, kindness, and ambition. Counselors have been made available to students coping with the sudden loss of a peer many described as a natural leader and a loyal friend.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of how gun violence continues to steal the futures of our youth,” said Principal Carla Jameson in a statement to parents. “Lazarvis was more than just a student—he was family to all of us.”
Community leaders and anti-violence advocates gathered at a vigil held on the evening of June 26 to honor Brown’s memory and to call for peace. They lit candles, read poems, and prayed for the surviving victims. Many also voiced growing frustration over the persistent gun violence that plagues parts of the city, especially among young people.
“We’re tired of burying our children,” said one speaker at the vigil. “It’s time to invest in our youth, give them safe spaces, and stop this cycle before it takes another life.”
As Oakland continues to grapple with the senseless killing of Lazarvis Brown, his family now faces the heartbreaking task of planning a funeral for a teenager who should have had his whole life ahead of him. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover funeral expenses and provide support to his grieving loved ones.
While the investigation continues and the search for justice moves forward, the memory of Lazarvis lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. His life, full of potential and promise, is a painful symbol of all that is lost to violence—and a call for change that grows louder with every passing day