Christen Lamier White, a 20-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, California, tragically lost his life on August 2, 2014. Born on March 7, 1994, in San Bernardino, California, Christen was known for his vibrant personality and was deeply loved by his family and friends. On the night of his death, Christen was with his friend Marcus Lawton and several others at an apartment complex on Graham Street in Moreno Valley.
They were gathered on a stairwell outside one of the units, smoking and conversing, when the incident occurred.
The events leading to Christen's death were rooted in gang violence. Andre Trevone Harris, a member of the Wild Flax Crips, along with two unidentified accomplices, approached the group around 1:20 a.m. Harris and his associates used an insider term to greet the group, attempting to disguise their true intentions. Suddenly, two of the three men pulled out guns and began shooting at the group as they tried to flee into the apartment. Marcus Lawton was shot in the shoulder, while Christen White was fatally shot through his lungs and into his heart. The attackers quickly fled the scene, leaving behind a pair of keys with a CVS card attached, which later linked Harris to the crime.
Christen and Marcus were rushed to Riverside County Regional Medical Center. Unfortunately, Christen succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival, while Marcus underwent surgery and survived. The investigation revealed that the attack was a retaliatory act by Harris, who sought to avenge the death of a fellow gang member, Jesse Mosley, who had been killed in 2011. The rivalry between the Wild Flax Crips and the Sex Cash gang, to which Christen and his friends were associated, had a long and violent history.
Andre Trevone Harris managed to evade capture for over a month before being arrested for a minor offense, which eventually led to his apprehension for Christen's murder. In June 2017, a Riverside jury convicted Harris of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and several sentence-enhancing allegations related to gang activity, gun use, and causing great bodily injury. He was sentenced to 96 years to life in state prison, a sentence that reflected the severity of his crimes and his prior convictions for grand theft and firearm possession.
The case of Christen White's murder highlights the devastating impact of gang violence on communities and the enduring pain it causes to the families of victims. Despite the conviction and sentencing of Harris, the loss of Christen White remains a poignant reminder of the need for continued efforts to address and prevent gang-related violence.
