*A California man was convicted of the 2020 fatal shooting of his girlfriend that led to her car crashing into the Sacramento River. After escaping the vehicle, he did not attempt to save the woman or her four children, aged 2 to 6, who were still inside.
On Wednesday, July 24, Mandiko Kwadzo, 31, was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of 23-year-old Carliena Clayton, TooFab reports. According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, officers responded to a residence on July 27, 2020, after receiving a report of gunshots. A witness observed Clayton and Kwadzo arguing in the driveway before they both entered a vehicle with four children.
Another witness later reported hearing a gunshot followed by the sound of a car crashing into the river. According to police, the witness and his friend went to investigate and discovered the vehicle partially submerged in the water. Kwadzo was standing nearby, making no effort to save Clayton or the children inside the car.
One of these good Samaritans, Harrell Fischer, told KCRA that he and his friend managed to rescue the children from the car and place them safely in a boat.
Mandiko Kwadzo, 31, of California, was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing his 23-year-old girlfriend, Carliena Clayton
On July 27, 2020, Police responded to a 911 call reporting shots being fired inside a residence Clayton had recently moved into with her four kids pic.twitter.com/OITT3NTcDF
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) July 28, 2024
“I saw a little face look up at me and I about melted. It was intense. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ And then I saw two little hands poke out, too, like, ‘Help me,'” he recalled.
According to the DA’s statement, “Kwadzo was standing nearby the car, not doing anything to help.” He is the father to three of the four children, per KOVR.
Fischer said Clayton was not removed from the car until authorities arrived.
According to the police, the oldest of the children said Kwadzo “shot my mom.”
Fortunately, the children sustained no injuries in the crash.
“I thank God for keeping those kids safe,” Fischer told KCRA. “I thank God for keeping me and John safe. And I pray for that dude, too, who did all this. I pray for him, too.”
Kwadzo’s sentencing is set for September 6. He faces up to a maximum of 53 years to life in prison.
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