Hayward police

Teen Shot to Death in Hayward Walking With Friend: PD

A 17-year-old boy who had hoped to join the Marines was shot and killed Tuesday morning in Hayward while walking with a friend.

According to Hayward Police Sgt. Ruben, the teen was walking with a female companion when they were confronted by a group of men. His family identified him as Kionta Murphy Jr. at an emotional vigil on Tuesday night. His parents attended in tears. His mother, Theresa Murphy, said: "He wanted to be a Marine. He was not a hoodlum on the street. He wanted to be for his country. You took a life from us prematurely."

Police said that Kionta died during the course of an exchange,  where one of the suspects opened fire, fatally injuring him about 1 a.m. near Arf Avenue and Morningside Drive.

The suspects were last seen fleeing the scene in a silver SUV.

Pola said Kionta had no known gang connections, had recently graduated from Mt. Eden High School where he played football and wrestled. His family and police said he had hoped to join the Marines.

Anyone with information should call Hayward police at 510-293-7034.

NBC Bay Area's Gonzalo Rojas contributed to this report.

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