PITTSBURGH — It was an emotional day for the Oliver Citywide Academy staff and students after tragedy struck outside the building on Wednesday.
“It was a really traumatic experience for students and staff who witnessed this because there were people outside at the time,” said Principal Tony Esoldo.
On Wednesday, crime scene tape stretched the length of the street after two gunmen shot and killed 15-year-old freshman Marquis Campbell as he sat in his school van ready to head home.
PHOTOS: Student shot outside Oliver Citywide Academy
Campbell was shot twice in the chest, and police confirmed that he died in the hospital just before 5:30 p.m.
“He was actually remote for a while and had just come back it was actually his first day back,” Esoldo said.
As Pittsburgh Police launched an investigation searching for video and information on the gunmen, the school district is taking the time to remember their student.
“Marquis had such a great quick-witted sense of humor. He was really bright. Did well in his classes, worked hard,” Esoldo said.
Esoldo credits Campbell’s success to his upbringing and family
“A very close family, his mother was an amazing woman and did everything for her kids especially Marquis,” Esoldo said.
Channel 11 talked to Campbell’s mother over the phone who said she’s in shambles trying to cope with the loss of her son.
Now the community is stepping up to help the family and school staff, but on the streets, organizations are making a call for more volunteers to help prevent further violence.
“We are going to do what we do as Mad Dad which is try get our arms around the young people and tell them the alternatives to this type violence that we see there are always other avenues,” said Ernest Bey with Pittsburgh MAD DADS.
Police told Channel 11 currently no one is arrested in this case.
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