James F. Kidd, a 46-year-old attorney from Wheaton, Illinois, was tragically killed on August 6, 1993, during a mass shooting at Luigi's Italian Restaurant in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The incident occurred when 22-year-old Kenneth Junior French, a soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, entered the restaurant armed with two shotguns and a rifle. French began ranting about President Bill Clinton's policy allowing homosexuals to serve in the military before opening fire indiscriminately on the
patrons.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of four individuals: Pete Nick Parrous , Ethel C. Parrous , Wesley Scot Cover , and James F. Kidd. Several others were injured, including the gunman, who was eventually shot and wounded by police. The incident was later described as a hate crime motivated by French's opposition to the military policy.
Following the attack, Kenneth Junior French was arrested and charged with four counts of capital murder and eight counts of assault. During his trial, French's defense attorney argued that he was drunk at the time and had a history of anger issues stemming from his father's actions. Despite these arguments, French was convicted on all charges and sentenced to four consecutive life terms for the murders, with an additional 35 years for the assaults.
The tragic events of that night left a lasting impact on the community and highlighted the devastating consequences of hate-fueled violence. The victims, including James F. Kidd, are remembered for their lives and the senseless manner in which they were taken.
