Hayward Police release sketches of 3 suspects in teen’s killing

Courtesy Hayward Police Department

Louis LaVenture ,
Sports and Campus Editor

On Tuesday the Hayward Police Department released sketches and information about the three suspects they are looking for in connection to the Aug. 4 shooting death of 17-year-old Kionta Murphy Jr. of Hayward.

HPD confirmed the three suspects are all Latino and between 17 and 18 years old. The descriptions of the three subjects are as follows: Subject number one is a Hispanic male between 17-18 years old, 5-feet-7-inches tall, 175 pounds with short black hair and was wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans and possibly black Vans shoes. Subject number two is a Hispanic male between 17-18 years old, 5-feet-10-inches tall, 175-200 pounds wearing a black beanie, black t-shirt with a white and red design on front, dark colored pants and dark sunglasses. Subject number three is a Hispanic male between 17-18 years old, 5-feet-6-inches tall wearing a black beanie, black t-shirt, and dark colored pants, according to the HPD.

Murphy was walking a friend home around 1 a.m. when they were confronted by the three teenagers near Arf Avenue and Morningside Drive in West Hayward. After a brief exchange, Murphy was shot and the three suspects fled in a silver SUV, according to the HPD. Paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after and gave care to Murphy, who died at the scene. His friend was not injured in the incident.

It is unclear how or from who HPD received the information or sketches from at the time of publication. Murphy was a Mount Eden High School graduate and had no criminal or gang ties, according to HPD.

Police are asking if you recognize any of the listed subjects to contact HPD Detective Steve Riley at 510-293-7034.