Rusty Seau. The boy with a million dollar smile and a heart of gold.
The mother of 16-year-old Rusty Seau, who was fatally shot Thursday evening and collapsed in the middle of the street, said Friday she does not know why her son was targeted.
"My son, he was a good kid. He was loved by many. I just want people to know the good in him," said Fia Seau, as she stood at the southwest corner of Vandegrift Boulevard and Gold Drive, near the spot where her son died soon after being shot at 5:18 p.m. Fia Seau gathered there with some of her daughters, her sister and other family and friends.
A table was set up with several framed photographs of Rusty Seau, several bouquets of flowers, candles, and a stuffed bear. At least a dozen balloons were tied to two nearby light poles.
As motorists passed by on Vandegrift Boulevard, some honked and flashed a peace sign. Some slowed and left flowers and offered condolences.
The mother said she believes that Oceanside police will find a motive and solve the case. She said she did not know whether the shooting had anything to do with the slaying of Rusty Seau's aunt, Pearl Seau, in 2002 or the gang violence that occurred in Oceanside last year. Rusty Seau, the family said, was not involved in gangs.
"I'm going to wait until police let me know why it happened. I'm not going to make any assumptions," Fia Seau said. "We don't know anything now. (Police are) just working on the case."
Police Sgt. Leonard Mata said Friday police are looking for information and are still trying to determine where the shooting happened. Witnesses told officers they heard gunfire in the area just west of the intersection just before Rusty Seau ran into the intersection and collapsed, he said.
He said investigators have not yet determined whether the shooting is gang-related but detectives are assisting in the investigation. Police patrols in the area have also increased, Mata said.
Fia Seau struggled to keep her composure as she spoke of her son's life.
"He's my oldest son, my first born," Seau said. "Rusty was born and raised on Arthur Street."
Her family all live in the area and Thursday before he was killed, she said he was following his usual routine of stopping in to visit with them all. She smiled and said he loved to eat and so he would move from home to home to see what was cooking at different houses.
Fia Seau said her son loved hip hop dancing and had even entered several dance competitions at school.
"He won every single one of them," she said with a big smile, adding they have lots of video of him dancing.
His aunt, Yolanda Aviu, said he also had many friends and was very athletic. He attended Ocean Shores High School this past year, but before that he had gone to El Camino High School and played on the football team.
Oceanside Unified School District spokeswoman Laura Chalkley said students made a large card for Rusty's family Friday.
"Whenever we have a tragedy, we always bring in extra counselors to talk to students if needed," she said. "(Students are) holding up as well as they can. Of course, it's a very trying and upsetting time for them and for the district. He was just a very good-hearted young man."
Chalkley said he was well-liked by all the teachers and administrators.
Seau's friends arrived at the intersection where he died soon after school was out with several banners to hang on a fence. The banners were signed by friends and family. Fia Seau explained that several said "Have a Safe Journey" in Samoan.
Fia Seau said her son had transferred to Ocean Shores to make up some school credits and next week he was going to move up to Temecula to live with his father and stepmother. He would have attended a different school during his senior year, she said.
The two boys listed here Christopher Fuimaono & Rusty Seau our cousins (my nephews) who have grown up together there entire young lives. Rusty was killed by another 16 year old kid so, its not just these two young lives gone it another one locked up in prison for the rest of his life. There needs to be a change. To many of our youth are being lost two the streets. Take a stand.
