Damani Gardner-Alexander, aged 13, tragically lost his life on August 31, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. He was one of four family members killed in a brutal attack at their home in the Watts neighborhood. The victims included Damani's grandmother, Ebora Alexander, aged 58; his aunt, Dietra Alexander, aged 24; and his cousin, Damon Bonner, aged 8.
This horrific event shocked the community and left many mourning the loss of these innocent lives.
The investigation revealed that the murders were carried out by members of the Rollin' 60s Crips gang. The perpetrators, Tiequon Cox and Horace Burns, mistakenly targeted the Alexander home, believing it to be the residence of a rival gang member. This tragic case of mistaken identity led to the senseless deaths of Damani and his family members. Tiequon Cox was later convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Horace Burns received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for his role in the killings.
The case garnered significant media attention, partly due to the family's connection to former NFL player Kermit Alexander, who was Damani's uncle. The brutal nature of the crime and the subsequent legal proceedings highlighted the pervasive issue of gang violence in Los Angeles during the 1980s. The Alexander family murders remain a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of gang-related violence on innocent lives.
