2008 Woodie Awards
Campus memorial services for Kebret Tekle held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in University Union Redwood Room
Director of Student Life and Services said the services would be held to celebrate her life and her friendships
The State Hornet staff
Issue date: 5/8/07 Section: News
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"Every positive adjective you can think of (describes) Kebret Tekle," Director of Student Life and Services Davin Brown said.
Tekle, a 20-year-old sophomore student at Sacramento State, was active in the campus community as a member of the Eta Lambda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a black sorority, and a committee chair for the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Tekle was sitting in her car when a stray bullet struck her in the neck, outside of the Library Eats and Drinks bar on Folsom Boulevard on May 3, before 1 a.m., across from the university's entrance.
Tekle died 16 hours later at UC Davis Medical Center. Family met at the hospital as Sac State reserved the University Union Ballroom for friends to gather and mourn.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. today at the Greek Orthodox Church in Oakland.
A memorial service will be held in her honor at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the University Union Redwood Room. Brown, a sorority sister of Tekle, said the services would be held to celebrate her life and her friendships.
"The (memorial) will celebrate her personality and the brightness she shared with us," Brown said.
OUTSIDE THE BAR
Tekle was an innocent victim, who was caught in the fire between two groups of suspected gang members, Sacramento City Police said.
After a dispute began inside the nightclub between the two groups, the fight continued outside after bouncers kicked them out into the parking lot. As one member of the groups pulled out a firearm and fired shots, the other group fled the scene in a car heading west on Folsom Boulevard.
Officer Konrad Von Schoech of the Sacramento City Police Department said the department received calls about the shooting 12:58 a.m. and responded to the scene.
The department's Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Investigations Unit are responding to investigate and are interviewing witnesses and talking to anyone who knows of the people involved in the shooting.
Still early into the investigation, Von Schoech said there have been no further developments in the case.
"(We're) following leads, but nothing concrete to report," Von Schoech said.
Police described the suspect as a 5-foot-7-inch man between 20 and 25, and was last seen wearing a jacket with a fur collar.
It is unknown whether the suspect is affiliated with Sac State.
FRIENDS REMEMBER
A Facebook group, titled "We Love you Kebret," was created with comments from friends written on "The Wall."
Melissa Burkley, a student at CSU East Bay, went to middle school with Tekle.
"I remember her silly, make-believe stories like how she had a pet monkey," Burkley wrote. "I remember her smile being able to light up the darkest of rooms. I remember asking her for tips when I joined our middle school step team for a little while. I remember going on our ecology club trip to pt.reyes and us trying to eat all of her tic tacs on the bus because we weren't supposed to bring food with us. I remember slumber parties and after school hang out sessions. Needless to say, I remember having many happy moments with Kebret."
"I love all of the joy, laughter, and the memories," wrote Edidiong B. Uwan, a family and consumer sciences major. "You will deeply be missed, I will forever remember that infectious smile that could lighten any mood. ... I am truly a better person to have had you in my life. I love you Kebret. Your family is in my prayers. You are in my heart forever."
Chauncey Corbin, a senior on the track and field team, wrote that he wanted to remember fond memories of Tekle.
"She is a great woman that broght (sic) lots of individuals togther which shows just how great she is," Corbin wrote. "When we see each other again you still owe me a dance!!!"
Tekle was a member of the National Forensic League while at James Logan High School in Union City. Her forensics coach, Tommie Lindsey told the student newspaper, The Courier, that Tekle enjoyed competing on the team.
"She had a sweet spirit about her," he told the student newspaper in a story posted online on Monday. "She was a huge people-person who enjoyed being around people and the class itself. She was a good performer in competitions. She had a lot of enthusiasm and energy, more than any of her fellow classmates. A lot of people wanted to be around her."
The forensics team, the student newspaper reported, held a moment of silence at a showcase fundraiser on Friday.
PRESIDENT RESPONDS
In an e-mail sent to the campus community on May 2, President Alexander Gonzalez conveyed empathy for the victim.
"I would like to express our shock and sadness about the shooting of one of our students earlier this morning near campus," he said.
Gonzalez said it is important for the campus community to come together to support the family.
"This is a sad day for the campus," Gonzalez said. "It will be important in the days and weeks ahead that we are supportive of those who have been deeply affected."
POLICE ASK FOR HELP
Lt. Daniel Davis said on May 2, the University Police is enhancing patrols and has posted alert bulletins around campus.
University Police urges the campus community to be alert to their surroundings and to report suspicious activities. University Police can be reached at (916) 278-6851.
Sacramento City Police asks that anyone who knows about the incident or suspects contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP.
The State Hornet staff can be reached at news@statehornet.com
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