News Releases

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that two men were sentenced today for the murder of a 3-year-old boy during a shootout in a Compton liquor store parking lot in 2018. 

“The pain caused by the loss of a young child is unimaginable, more so when it’s caused by senseless violence,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Today’s life sentences will ensure these men will never hurt another innocent victim again.” 

Dwayne Ward (dob 3/14/88) and Kevaughn Harris (dob 5/20/90), both of Compton, were sentenced today to life in prison in case TA145656. 

Ward and Harris were both found guilty in December 2019 of one count each of second-degree murder, firing at an occupied motor vehicle, felon with a firearm and attempted murder. 

On Jan. 20, 2018, Harris was walking toward a car parked outside a liquor store in the 2800 block of West Alondra Boulevard. Inside the vehicle were his girlfriend and her 3-year-old son Franklin. 

Ward was sitting in a nearby vehicle when a confrontation began with Harris. Both men pulled out handguns and began firing at one another. 

Franklin, who was sitting in the backseat of the vehicle, was fatally shot in the exchange of gunfire. His mother was not injured. 

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.