Kenneth Maxwell "Max" Rusk, a 17-year-old resident of Vallejo, California, tragically lost his life on May 14, 2015. Max was a senior at Jesse Bethel High School and was known for his bright personality and kind nature. On the day of his death, Max was walking along a trail near a skateboard park adjacent to Wardlaw Park and Jesse Bethel High School when he was fatally shot. The incident occurred around 11:55 a.m., and Max was pronounced dead at the scene.
The high school and nearby Joseph Wardlaw Elementary School were placed on lockdown as a precaution following the shooting.
The investigation into Max's death revealed that he was shot in the back of the head and forehead with a .22-caliber handgun. The Vallejo Police Department quickly identified and arrested two suspects: Zachery Allen Kroll, 25, and Elisha Marcel White Jr., 16 at the time of the shooting. Kroll was charged with voluntary manslaughter and personal use of a firearm, while White was initially charged as an adult but later had his case dismissed. Another individual, Austin Leandro Lonzanida, was also implicated in a robbery that occurred a few days before the shooting, but his involvement in Max's death was not directly established.
In a plea deal with the Solano County District Attorney's Office, Kroll agreed to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 21 years in state prison. The plea deal allowed Kroll to avoid a potential life sentence if found guilty at trial. The Rusk family, devastated by the loss of their beloved Max, also pursued legal action against the Vallejo City Unified School District. In 2018, they settled a lawsuit filed in 2016, receiving $350,000 payable to Max's estate.
Max's death left a profound impact on his family, friends, and the Vallejo community. His mother, Jamie Rusk, and father, James Busch Sr., described him as a gentle, kind, and funny young man who was loved by many. The community mourned the loss of a bright soul whose life was cut short by senseless violence. The case highlighted the ongoing issues of gun violence and the need for increased safety measures in and around schools.
