Oakland Lawmakers Join Memorial For School Massacre Victims
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - About 100 people showed up at Oikos University in Oakland Tuesday morning for the latest in a series of memorial gatherings for seven students who were gunned down in a shooting at the private Korean Christian school on April 2.
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan was among those in attendance.
"This tragedy is something that we are feeling very deeply," she said. "I want you to know that the city of Oakland and the people of Oakland have expressed a lot of support for you."
Quan said, "I know that your pain and hurt will continue, but you should know that you can reach out to the city for services such as counseling."
She called the university, which served many international students, "a place where many immigrants are seeking their dreams."
The shooting occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on April 2. The suspect, former student One L. Goh, 43, has been charged with seven counts of murder, three counts of premeditated attempted murder and other charges for the shooting.
KCBS' Doug Sovern Reports:
Killed were Lydia Sim, 21, Sonam Choedon, 33, Grace Kim, 23, Doris Chibuko, 40, Judith Seymour, 53, Tshering Bhutia, 38, and Katleen Ping, 24.
Three other students were wounded in the shooting.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, told the crowd, "I hope you understand that we support you during this difficult process. I know the grieving will continue and my office stands ready to support you."
Ellen Cervellon, the director of the nursing program at Oikos, said the seven students who were killed came to the school "to work as a nurse, to care for people and to love."
"Even in heaven, these seven people are devoting their care and love," she said.
Jongin Kim, the university's founder and president, said, "Our students worked hard to achieve the American dream and we understand how important it is to continue this mission."
"We extend our love and grief to the families and friends of the victims," Kim said.
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