Franklin Senkarana Pon-Ros, a three-year-old boy of Cambodian-Laotian descent, tragically lost his life on January 20, 2018, in Compton, California. Franklin was in the back seat of a car when his mother and her boyfriend stopped at Nate’s Liquor Mart on West Alondra Boulevard. The boyfriend briefly entered the store, passing another man at the counter. Upon exiting, the boyfriend and the other man had a brief verbal exchange, which quickly escalated into a gunfight.
Both men exchanged gunfire, and a bullet struck Franklin, who was sitting in the back seat of the car. Despite immediate efforts to rush him to the hospital, Franklin was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The investigation into Franklin's death revealed that the shooting was a result of a confrontation between rival gang members. The boyfriend, who was cooperative with the authorities, was not arrested. However, the other man involved in the shooting, identified as Dwayne Christopher Ward, was taken into custody for violating the terms of his parole. Further investigation led to the arrest of another individual, Kevaughn Harris, who was also involved in the incident. Both Ward and Harris were convicted in December 2019 on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a felon. In February 2021, they were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, with Harris receiving 103 years to life and Ward 89 years to life.
The case highlighted the devastating impact of gang violence on innocent lives and the community's ongoing struggle with such incidents. Franklin's family, deeply affected by the loss, received support from the community through an online fundraiser to help with expenses. The tragic death of Franklin Senkarana Pon-Ros serves as a somber reminder of the need for continued efforts to address and prevent gang-related violence.
