In the late morning of September 17, 2021, a heart-wrenching incident unfolded in a residence in the 1500 block of Wedgewood Drive in Lawrence, Kansas, leading to the death of 2-year-old Legend Francis King. Emergency services were dispatched to the home around 10:45 a.m. following a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered the young boy critically injured by a gunshot wound.
Despite immediate medical attention and transport to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Legend succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead later that day. The male toddler's death was the result of what authorities would describe as an accidental shooting.
The subsequent investigation into the tragic event led Lawrence police to arrest 21-year-old Bishop Isaiah Mendoza on September 24, 2021. Mendoza, who was the cousin of the young victim, had been sleeping on a couch at his grandmother's house that morning. Tucked into the cushions of the sofa was a stolen handgun that was "locked and loaded." It was this firearm that the young boy found, leading to the fatal accident. Mendoza was taken into custody on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated child endangerment, and possession of a stolen handgun.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family expressed immense grief but also support for Mendoza. During the court proceedings, Legend King's mother, Jessica Tolbert, advocated for no prison time for her nephew, stating that he was "broken and hurt" and that they did not blame him for the accident. Despite the family's plea for leniency, the legal process moved forward. Bishop Mendoza pleaded no contest to charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering a child. In June 2022, he was sentenced to just over three years in prison for his role in the accidental death of his young cousin. The judge acknowledged the difficult nature of the case, recognizing the family's heartbreak and their desire to not see another family member incarcerated. The community mourned the loss of a young life cut short, with funeral services held on October 8, 2021, where family and friends gathered to remember Legend King.
