Andrew Gregory Bender III, a 19-year-old from Bellflower, California, tragically lost his life on February 9, 2016, after being shot on January 27, 2016. Bender and a friend were walking from a liquor store to a nearby house when a gunman approached them from behind and opened fire. Bender was struck by the gunfire while his friend managed to escape unharmed. The assailant fled the scene in a vehicle after the shooting. Bender was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries nearly two weeks later.
The investigation into Bender's death revealed that he was targeted due to his affiliation with the Neighborhood Compton Crips, a local gang. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department identified the shooter as Anthony King, a 36-year-old man associated with the rival Atlantic Drive Crips. King was charged with one count of murder, with additional allegations of using a firearm and acting to benefit a gang. Detectives believe that the shooting was an act of retaliation, as Bender and King had reportedly been involved in a conflict over the past year.
Bender's mother, Tiffany Moore, shared that her son had been striving to distance himself from gang life. Despite his efforts to stay out of trouble, his father's past gang affiliations seemed to have cast a long shadow over him. Bender was a former football player at Long Beach Poly High School and had aspirations of becoming a professional athlete. He had moved with his family to escape the violence in Compton and was working as a security guard to support his family and prepare for the birth of his child.
The case against Anthony King proceeded with him pleading not guilty to the charges. The legal proceedings highlighted the ongoing gang violence in the area and the challenges faced by individuals trying to break free from such environments. Bender's death underscored the tragic consequences of gang rivalries and the impact on families and communities. The investigation and subsequent legal actions aimed to bring justice for Bender and his family, while also addressing the broader issue of gang violence in the region.
