Keith Childress
Birth date:
June 10, 1992
Death date:
December 31, 2015
Age at Death:
23
About
Keith Childress, known to friends and family as Oompa, was born in Oceanside, California. He was described as a boy who could light up a room with his smile. He loved to play sports growing up, and had lots of friends that said he believed in carpe diem and living in the moment. Later in life, Keith had three children of his own.
Keith Childress committed robbery in Arizona, stealing marijuana and a gun. He later skipped town and fled to Las Vegas, Nevada. He was walking along the streets of a private neighborhood when police shot him 5 times, killing him. They were acting on a false report that he was an armed and dangerous fugitive. Although he was wanted for robbery in Arizona, the things the police officers thought at the time were much more severe. He was holding a cell phone when he was shot. The police claim that they thought it was a gun.
Was justice served?
No criminal charges were filed, but his mother filed a civil lawsuit against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police for his wrongful death. Although it seems that the Las Vegas Police clearly violated protocols and acted much too harshly, they have not been tried for their actions. Today, people are still fighting for justice to be served for Keith Childress, and for his life to not be forgotten.