Native American healing event planned for Richmond murder victim

RICHMOND, Calif. -- A traditional Native American healing event will be held Thursday night for community members who wish to express their grief and honor a young man who was fatally shot in Richmond last week.

Lincoln Plair, 20, was shot dead around 3:40 p.m. on March 4 in the 600 block of Sixth Street in the middle of Richmond's Iron Triangle neighborhood.

The killing occurred just a couple of blocks from Elm Playlot, where Plair volunteered daily with the local non-profit group Pogo Park, which works to restore the playground.

Police continue to investigate the killing, but so far have not made any arrests.

Richmond's Native American Health Center is inviting community members to take part in a traditional Native American "talking circle" tonight in honor of Plair.

The gathering is a chance to "release negative energy...and help heal the grief over Lincoln Plair, a gentle and peaceful man with a radiant spirit, to senseless gun violence," a statement from Pogo Park reads.

Pogo Park founder Toody Maher said Plair, who began working with the organization over a year ago, would arrive at Elm Playlot at 8 a.m. each day to clean the playground and work on other park projects.

When he wasn't welcoming local children to the playlot in the afternoons, the 20-year-old could often be found riding his bicycle or washing a car, Maher said.

Maher described the young volunteer as a kind, peaceful man who was the primary caretaker for his father, a disabled man in his 70s.

Thursday night's event follows a candlelight vigil at the playlot and a carwash last week to raise funds for Plair's family.

Maher said all money collected is helping the family pay for mounting funeral and burial costs.

The talking circle will convene at 6 p.m. at Elm Playlot at Eighth Street and Elm Avenue.

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