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Oscar Duncan, 23, was shot dead outside a home in Venice Monday night. On Thursday, his family members joined city and police officials at a news conference offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of his killers. Toni Guinyard reports from Del Rey for the NBC4 News at Noon on June 7, 2012.
A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old youth minister in Venice.
Oscar Duncan, a popular mentor at the local Boys & Girls Club and an aspiring singer, was fatally shot in the head about 10:30 p.m. Monday in the 600 block of Santa Clara Avenue (map), police said.
Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents Venice, and officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Station held a news conference Thursday morning to publicize the reward.
"This is another senseless murder ... right here in Venice,'' Rosendahl said, adding that he adjourned Wednesday's council meeting in Duncan's name.
Members of the victim's family attended the news conference.
"To see the outcry of the community and all his family and friends supporting, that lets me know that he was loved and he touched many lives," said Curtis Nettles, the victim's brother.
"No retaliation," urged Duncan's mother.
Duncan, who grew up in Venice, was a youth minister at Greater Zion Church Family in Compton and worked with Takeover Youth Ministry in Inglewood. He had been captain of the Venice High football team and was homecoming king, police said.
"He did everything right Monday evening," said Erikk Aldridge, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club where Duncan had worked. "He went to work, he went to church, he went to get something to eat. And he went home."
Police said Duncan was in front of his family home when four men drove up in an older model white car.
"There was an exchange of words and one shot was fired, striking the victim,'' said Lt. Marco Munoz of the Pacific Station.
Police are seeking as many as four suspects who were in a Honda sedan. They said the men may have gang ties, while Duncan did not.
Duncan posted a Bible quote on Twitter about 20 minutes before he was shot.
"He was a great role model; he was a mentor,'' said Michael Fisher, pastor of Greater Zion Church.
Aldridge said Duncan's death was "horrific" for the community.
Anyone with information about the slaying is urged to call homicide detectives at 213-382-9470 or 877-LAPD-247.
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