Phone Chankhamany, aged 54, was one of the seven victims in a tragic mass shooting that occurred on September 7, 2020, in Aguanga, California. The incident took place at a large-scale illegal marijuana grow operation located in a remote area of Riverside County. The property, which was nestled on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest, included a house, a trailer, and several makeshift dwellings.
At the time of the shooting, the site was home to more than 20 people, many of whom were recent immigrants from Laos struggling to find employment. They lived and worked on the grow site, hoping to earn enough money to eventually move on.
On the night of the incident, Riverside County deputies responded to reports of an assault at the property. Upon arrival, they discovered six people who had been fatally shot and one woman who was still alive but later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The victims, including Phone Chankhamany, were identified as being of Laotian descent. The property was found to contain over 1,000 pounds of processed marijuana and several hundred marijuana plants, indicating a highly organized illegal operation.
The investigation into the murders revealed that the killings were likely a targeted incident involving gang members of Laotian descent from the San Diego area. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department labeled the case as a "home invasion robbery," although nothing was reported stolen from the scene. Despite extensive efforts by investigators, no suspects were immediately identified, and the case went cold for several years. However, in December 2024, new clues emerged, including the identification of a mid-size dark-colored SUV believed to have been used by the perpetrators.
The mass shooting at the Aguanga marijuana grow site was one of the worst mass killings in Riverside County's history. The victims, including Phone Chankhamany, were remembered as hardworking individuals who had come to the United States in search of better opportunities. The case remains under investigation, with authorities continuing to follow up on leads in hopes of bringing the perpetrators to justice. The tragic event highlighted the dangers associated with illegal marijuana operations and the violent crime that can accompany such activities.
