School Library Renamed to Honor Boy Killed in Shooting

Classmates of a 7-year-old boy who died in a gang-related shooting in Inglewood in December paid tribute to their friend with music and dance during a ceremony Friday in which they dedicated the library at Frank D. Parent School in memory of Evan Leigh Foster.

School officials said Foster was a student who loved to read, and the best way to keep his memory alive was to name the library for him. Principal Marie Stricklin said the second-grader was a “renaissance boy” who enjoyed trips to the library and even wrote once that it was one of his favorite places.

“I like to go to the library because I learn more about history and more things about holidays,” Foster wrote. “Libraries are fun because you learn things.”

Stricklin said that Foster was a very inspirational boy, and that she hoped naming the library after the youngster would encourage other students to enjoy reading as much as he did.

“He loved to read and we thought this would be an excellent way to share Evan’s interest in reading with other students,” Stricklin said.

Foster was killed as he sat in the back seat of his mother’s car Dec. 8, after registering for a basketball league at Darby Park.

The bullet was fired from an assault rifle and was intended for someone else. Three reputed gang members have been arrested and charged with murder.