Malcolm Armstrong, a transplant from New York, had found his place in San Francisco's skateboarding culture before he was stabbed and killed on Haight Street recently as Mission Local reports. While an investigation into his murder is underway, in the Mission Armstrong’s skateboarding friends organized a tribute to him, writing to Mission Local with the following statement:
Malcolm Armstrong was a talented 20 year old skateboarder who came to San Francisco from New York knowing hardly anyone. He quickly made friends and integrated closely with the massive skateboarding community here in the city, residing mainly at Potrero Del Sol Skatepark.With his deep raspy voice, thick New York accent, love for Joey Badass and hip hop, Malcolm stood out amongst the crowd of locals. Yet he was accepted like a brother in the short period in which he we were blessed to have known him.
A couple days after news finally let out and the rumors became a sad reality, his friends and peers put together a memorial at his home away from home, Potrero Del Sol. What started as a candle lit vigil ended in a night of the most beautiful celebration of life that I have ever witnessed.
The youth got together for a massive group picture and from there they began skating their hardest in his honor. When the lights shut off, they hit the streets to bomb hills just as Malcolm would’ve wanted to. A crowd of more than 75 youth trekked on bus, car, bikes and foot to the top of O’ Shaugnessy and skated down hills for hours, yelling his name with smiles on their faces.
This video captures this very rare insight into a community many don’t get to experience and the love they shared for someone tragically gone.
His friends also made this video tribute, which showcases some of the skate spots and parks frequented by Armstrong and others.
Previously: Suspect Pleads Not Guilty In Last Week's Haight Street Homicide