Mack Lockdown: Students Shocked That Baby Critically Hurt in Kafani Shooting

by the macksmack staff

with AP wire service and newspaper reports

McClymonds High School was on lockdown Wednesday afternoon after police and school officials  decided that the shooting of a 1-year-old, a few miles away on Monday, might still pose a danger to students.

Police have not arrested any suspects, according to press reports. They are trying to piece together the events that led to a gun battle, during which Hiram Lawrence, just weeks away from his second birthday,  was critically injured. A man and woman were also seriously hurt.

McClymonds was locked down after a call from the Oakland Police Department, a security guard said. “We don’t know what could happen,” said the guard who didn’t want to be identified. “Kids’ lives could be in danger.”

This was the second time the only high school in West Oakland was on lockdown.

“It was sad to hear the news. People at the basketball game ran to see who did it,” commented Dion Ellis,14, a sophomore.

With over 100 homicides in 2011, shootings in Oakland have become the status quo, students said.

“Some people were shocked about the shooting mostly because it’s uncommon to hear about a baby being involved,” said Dontarion Layne,14, a freshmen.

However, community organizers held a healing circle Wednesday night to pray for the toddler, demand services and open community centers for residents in Lower Bottoms/West Oakland. About two dozen people attended.

Witnesses initially said that Oakland rapper Kafani was making a music video at the parking lot where the shooting occurred. But  in a series of tweets, Kafani denied that he was there, though his promotional van was.

“It’s crazy how I’m being blamed for something and I was at studio the whole time,” he tweeted Wednesday night.

“My momma went to Mack,” brings rappers to school.

by Bonita Tindle

Nobody was shot on Wednesday. Except in the lyrics.

About 45 people were there. I walked in to the auditorium and saw  that only the first three rows were filled for what was billed as a rap concert. Even for a small school, that is bad.

Of course, that didn’t stop the few students who were there from dancing. Energy levels ran high as a string of performers hit the stage. The crowd interacted as one act sang: “If you love life, say ACTION!”

Students screamed as the feature act, Erk tha Jerk, was introduced on stage. The music cut off.  Erk tha Jerk, in the middle of his performance, sat down on the stage, then mumbled, “Ya’ll not havin’ fun.” He asked students to gather closer and they did, right around him.

As they recognized his lyrics, students went wild. Singing along and dancing. This lasted about 2 minutes until the show ended.

Before the show, I interviewed students about Erk tha jerk. Guess what they said! Students had no idea who Erk tha Jerk was! Sadly, the only reason some students came was because a friend forced them or that they were bored. This is no surprise. Students not showing up for a performance — whether it’s Erk tha Jerk or President Obama — is typically Mack.