Teenager shot to death outside Oakland church

(01-17) 16:02 PST OAKLAND -- A 19-year-old man was shot and killed outside a church in Oakland, police said Monday.

Kerry Baxter Jr. of Oakland was shot outside St. Anthony's Church near the corner of East 15th Street and 16th Avenue, in the city's San Antonio neighborhood, about 10:10 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Baxter's grandmother, Anita Wills, 64, of San Leandro, said her grandson had been with his girlfriend when he was shot during an apparent robbery. The girlfriend wasn't hurt, Wills said.

Baxter graduated in 2008 from Boys Republic High School in Chino Hills (San Bernardino County), she said.

"We are devastated by the loss of Kerry, who held so much promise," Wills said. "I will miss my grandson's smile and sense of humor most of all."

Baxter was pronounced dead at the scene, said Officer Holly Joshi, a police spokeswoman. No arrests have been made.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page C - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle