Newark Student Stabbed to Death at Party

The 18-year-old man slain Saturday at a Fremont house party has been identified as Osana Futi, according to a relative.

Sebastian Crowder, an uncle of the teenager, confirmed Sunday afternoon that Futi was the victim of a late Saturday night.

Police, who have not released the victim’s identity, said the victim was found bleeding around 11:20 p.m. Saturday near a home near Hyde Park and Yellow Stone Park drives, near Auto Mall Parkway, in Fremont’s Blacow district.

Fremont Police Investigative Sgt. Chris Hummel said when officers arrived they found that the victim was suffering from "severe stab wounds." He was transferred to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced dead approximately two hours later, Hummel added.

Hummel said police had received complaints about a large party and reports of shots fired.

Condolences for Futi have spread throughout social media websites such as Twitter, with many offering up prayers for the senior and his family.

“RIP Osana Futi, my condolences go out to his family and close friends. I hope and pray justice will be served,” wrote a Twitter user who goes by LilTDawwwg.

One Newark Patch Facebook follower wrote, “A beautiful young man. Senseless tragedy. My heart is heavy. Thinking of all of the family and keeping them in prayer.”

“Beautiful day today. Means an angel made it to heaven safely. RIP Osana Futi. Didn't know you at all, but looks like you were loved by many,” wrote another Twitter user.

Though Hummel said police are investigating on whether the stabbing was gang-related, he said it did not seem to be the case.

"It was a party and it seemed there were fights and it escalated quickly," Hummel said.

Counseling services will be made available to students at Newark Memorial High School as they return to school Monday, said Superintendent of Schools Dave Marken, who called Futi’s murder a tragedy.

“Obviously it’s a time to grieve and it’s also a time to reflect. This is tragic and, I think, somehow we need to get together and try to avoid [these situations]… Kids are bringing guns and knives to a party and that’s got to stop. That’s just got to stop.”

Futi’s death comes about 16 months after his best friend, then-17-year-old Justice Afoa, was fatally stabbed on Cedar Boulevard near Birch Street in Newark.

Last March, the Newark Unified School Board of Education voted to after it was reported that he was connected to a shouting match with another student over Afoa's murder.

Both Futi and Afoa were teammates on the Newark Memorial High School football team and Crowder said the two were best friends.

Parents and school staff, including Newark Memorial athletic director and football coach Rich Swift, protested Futi’s expulsion, noting that the teenager had just been distraught over Afoa's death.

“Osana is not a gang member. I’ve known kids who were gang members in my class,” Swift said during that March board meeting.

His expulsion was later overturned in May 2011, according to Stacy Kelly, president of Newark Memorial's athletic's boosters.

Police have not yet arrested anyone in connection to Afoa’s death. Crowder also said neither Futi nor Afoa were affiliated with gangs.

The suspect in Futi's killing is male but his identity is unknown, according to Hummel.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Fremont police at 510-790-6800.

Editor's note: This report was updated at 5 p.m. April 29. For updates on this story, subscribe to Newark Patch's breaking news alerts at www.newark.patch.com/newsletters.