Kenneth French, a 32-year-old developmentally disabled man, tragically lost his life on June 14, 2019, in a shooting incident at a Costco in Corona, California. The incident occurred when French, who was shopping with his parents, allegedly pushed an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer, Salvador Alejandro Sanchez, in the back of the head. Sanchez, who was holding his infant son at the time, reacted by drawing his weapon and firing ten shots.
Four of these shots struck Kenneth French, resulting in his death, while his parents, Russell and Paola French, were also injured but survived.
The case quickly garnered significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the involvement of an off-duty police officer. Sanchez claimed that he believed he had been shot and acted in self-defense to protect himself and his son. However, witnesses and the French family provided a different account, stating that Kenneth French was intellectually disabled and posed no real threat. The confrontation lasted only a few seconds, and French's father reportedly tried to intervene, telling Sanchez that his son was sick and not to shoot.
Following the incident, Sanchez faced legal repercussions. He was charged with voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm. The case went to trial, but the first trial ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury. During the trial, Sanchez's defense argued that he acted in self-defense, while the prosecution emphasized the excessive use of force and the tragic consequences of Sanchez's actions.
In addition to the criminal charges, the French family filed a civil lawsuit against Sanchez, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the city of Los Angeles, alleging negligence and civil rights violations. In November 2021, a jury ruled in favor of the French family, awarding them $17 million in damages for the loss of their son. Despite the civil verdict, the criminal case faced challenges, and in February 2024, the state Attorney General's Office decided not to retry Sanchez after considering various factors, including feedback from the trial jury and the input of the surviving victims.
The death of Kenneth French remains a poignant reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding the use of force by law enforcement officers, particularly in situations involving individuals with disabilities. The case has sparked discussions about police training, accountability, and the need for better handling of incidents involving vulnerable populations.
