CA - Fairfield city councilman dies after being shot

[Guest guest]

It is with great sorrow that I post this story!

Fairfield city councilman dies after being shot

Matt , 22, is removed from life support surrounded by family and friends. Police are searching for the gunman who shot him outside a friend's house in the Northern California city.

By , Los Angeles Times Staff Writer September 3, 2008

SACRAMENTO -- A day after being shot outside a friend's house, a 22-year-old Fairfield city councilman died Tuesday after lingering on life support for much of the day as family and friends gathered to pay their last respects.Councilman Matt , one of the youngest elected officials in the nation, was shot in the back of the head while talking with a friend in a normally peaceful neighborhood in this city of 105,000 along Interstate 80 about 40 miles southwest of Sacramento. Police launched an aggressive search for the gunman, who fled the scene in a mid-size sedan after firing several shots about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Fairfield City Councilman Matt

Chief Kenton W. Rainey said it remained unclear whether was targeted or the victim of mistaken identity, or whether this was a random act of violence.The gunman -- described as a 5-foot-9 male of medium build -- jumped out of a car about 50 yards from where stood in a driveway and fired numerous rounds before getting back in the sedan and racing off at a high speed, police said. The shell fragments were being analyzed by the state Department of Justice's Bureau of Forensic Services.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the shooter.

Friends and colleagues gathered at the hospital Monday night. Fairfield Mayor Harry Price and others stayed late into the night while 's parents and relatives were by his bedside.Price said that by Tuesday morning, doctors at Muir Medical Center in nearby Walnut Creek had concluded that had lost brain function. The mayor and other bleary-eyed city officials returned to the medical center in the afternoon to say a prayerful goodbye to the colleague they described as energetic and brimming with promise."It's tragic, it's tragic," said Kardos, a fellow councilman. He had so much to live for, and he was doing so much for the city."A former prom king and student government leader who lived his whole life in Fairfield, was elected to the City Council in November at 21, defeating a two-term incumbent businessman despite being heavily outspent.In interviews after his

victory, repeated the vow he had made to a sixth-grade teacher: One day, he would become mayor of Fairfield.Eager to reach that goal, he hit the ground running, making a name for himself by establishing a youth commission and helping the council negotiate $7 million in budget cuts without raising taxes or firing workers."Matt is one of those who can walk into any setting, whether a group of young people in a park or a senior center, and just light up the room," Price said. "He was blessed with an incredible smile, a sharp intellect and the ability to relate to all ages and all ethnic groups. He also had a clear understanding of the role one person can make in the lives of others.", whose father escaped life in a gang to join a local ministry and raise a family in the working-class town, promised during his council campaign to champion anti-gang programs and youth services.Rainey said Tuesday that it was

uncertain whether the assailant was affiliated with a gang, adding simply, "Fairfield is not immune."eric.bailey@...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fairfield3-2008sep03,0,6950289.story?track=rss

I am heartbroken over this! This young man was truly trying to

make a difference. Please Please say prayers on his behalf today.

This is a serious tragedy! And he is in very critical condition!

22-Year-Old Fairfield City Council member Shot

FAIRFIELD (CBS13/AP) ¯ Fairfield city leaders are asking for prayers for a 22-year-old city councilman who is in "very critical condition" after being shot last night. They are also asking for any witnesses to the crime to come forward.Police say Matt was shot as he stood in the drive-way at a friend's house in Cordelia. Police say they believe one person fired several shots hitting in the back of the head. was airlifted to Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek this morning and listed in critical condition.Police are asking for the public's help in the investigation. They want anyone with information about the shooting

to call Fairfield police. "We have no motive, no suspects. We are very, very early in our investigation, " said Fairfield Police chief Kenton Rainey. Rainey also said campaigned against youth violence and was making a difference in the community.

was just 21 when he was sworn in last fall as a councilman in this city of 105,000, the Solano County seat."Last week we had lunch with McCain. McCain came up to Councilman , shook his hand and said 'You are the vision for the future.' The future did not include getting gunned down when you're 22-years-old, " fellow Councilmen Chuck Timm said.

Meanwhile, Fairfield officials have opened up the City Council's chambers for those seeking grief counseling.Meanwhile, Fairfield officials have opened up the City Council's chambers for those seeking grief counseling.

(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. . The Associated Press contributed to this report.) http://cbs13. com/local/ matt.garcia. shot.2.808156. html