San Francisco student, 17, identified as victim of Oakland warehouse fire

Flowers, candles and notes left for victims of the Oakland warehouse fire are seen on the corner of 12th Street and 31st Avenue on December 4, 2016 in Oakland, California. The fire, at an artist's warehouse known as the "Ghost Ship," began late on the evening of December 2nd, with 33 confirmed dead so far. less Flowers, candles and notes left for victims of the Oakland warehouse fire are seen on the corner of 12th Street and 31st Avenue on December 4, 2016 in Oakland, California. The fire, at an artist's warehouse ... more Photo: Pete Kiehart, Special To The Chronicle Photo: Pete Kiehart, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 122 Caption Close San Francisco student, 17, identified as victim of Oakland warehouse fire 1 / 122 Back to Gallery

A 17-year-old student at San Francisco’s Ruth Asawa School of the Arts was identified Sunday as one of the victims of the disastrous fire that erupted at a party in an Oakland warehouse Friday night.

Authorities withheld the name of the boy, who was one of at least 36 people killed, but he was identified by San Francisco school officials as Draven McGill, a junior at the competitive arts school.

In a letter to parents, school Principal Barnaby Payne said, “This is an incredibly unsettling and sad event — not only for the Asawa SOTA community, but especially for Draven’s family. I am in contact with them, and will keep you informed of how we can provide support to them.”

“We must rise to this occasion,” Payne wrote, “and rally around each other with love, compassion and support.”

The youngest of those confirmed dead, McGill was a member of the school’s vocal department as well as the Pacific Boychoir Academy.

Online, friends recounted the teenager’s big smile and persistent laugh. He liked to have fun, they said, and enjoyed singing and listening to electronic dance music.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones,” said school board President Matt Haney. “We are preparing to provide extra support and grief counseling to the Asawa School of the Arts school community, and will do whatever we can to be there for our students and the family. We are devastated.”