In the early morning hours of July 26, 2009, a Caucasian male named Kevin Franchow, aged 38, was taking one of his routine walks for exercise in Las Vegas, Nevada. Franchow, who managed his diabetes through these walks, was a vulnerable individual with hearing aids, glasses, and the mental capacity of a 10-year-old child. His regular path took him through AnSan Sister City Park, a place he frequented for his health.
On this particular Sunday, his peaceful routine was violently interrupted when he encountered two young men. In what police have described as a senseless and brutal act, one of the men shot Franchow multiple times in the back. Authorities believe the motive was robbery, as just moments before the shooting, the same suspects had stolen a cell phone from a woman in the same park. However, they did not take any valuables from Franchow, who was not carrying a wallet.
Las Vegas police found Franchow severely injured in the park around 12:25 a.m. He was rushed to University Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Investigators noted that Franchow's glasses were knocked off his face before the shooting, suggesting the suspects had a clear view of their defenseless victim. It is possible that due to his hearing impairment, Franchow may not have even heard his assailants' demands.
The suspects were described as being between the ages of 17 and 22. One of the suspects was described as a thin male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall with short hair, wearing a white T-shirt and carrying another shirt in his hand. Homicide detectives lamented the tragic and unnecessary loss of life, emphasizing that Franchow had no way to defend himself against his attackers. The investigation into the murder of Kevin Franchow was launched, with police seeking information from the public to bring the perpetrators to justice.
