US embassy ready to assist husband of Filipina killed in Oakland

MANILA, Philippines - The United States embassy yesterday said it is ready to assist the husband of a Filipina killed in a shooting rampage at Oikos University in Oakland last week.

Press Attaché Bettina Malone expressed condolences to the family of Kathleen Ping, who was killed by One Goh.

“Our hearts go out to the family of the victim, and the thoughts and prayers of all of us at the US embassy are with them,” Malone said.

Ping was one of the seven people killed in the incident.

“For anyone facing a humanitarian emergency in the US, such as a death in the family, the embassy stands ready to assist,” she said in a text message to The Star.

The 24-year-old Ping, who held an administrative job at the Oakland university, was taken hostage by Goh before she was shot to death.

Ping had a pending application for US citizenship.

The Philippine Consulate in San Francisco has been coordinating with US authorities regarding the incident. 

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez earlier said the consulate contacted the Alameda Coroner’s office and was informed that no autopsy was performed on Ping but it appeared she sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Consulate officials visited the victim’s family in their residence in East Oakland.

According to the DFA, the family of the victim intends to have the Filipina buried in the US and is requesting assistance for her husband, who still lives in the Philippines, to be granted a visa to attend the burial of his wife.