Jose Luis Escobar, 19, was shot and killed near 16th and Valencia streets in San Francisco’s Mission District on October 20, 2012, around 3 a.m. He had been waiting for a ride home from his new job when two suspects approached and shot him; witnesses said the suspects fled in a vehicle. Police believe the killing was gang-related and the investigation remains open with no arrests announced.

Escobar, called Boo by family and Goofy by friends, was the eldest of seven children and had taken on family responsibilities after his stepfather was murdered earlier that year. He had recently earned a GED, started work with a moving company, talked about removing gang tattoos and wanted to become a civil engineer. Friends briefly erected an altar with flowers and candles at the shooting site.

The family and community say his death underscored a resurgence of gang violence along 16th Street and left residents fearful. If anyone has information that could help the San Francisco Police Department’s investigation, please come forward.