RICHMOND, CA – A California man was sentenced to 95 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend in front of her two young children, bringing to a close a high-profile case that shone a spotlight on the deadly consequences of domestic violence.
Dushan McBride, 51, received the sentence in Contra Costa County court for the 2017 murder of Rashanda Franklin. Franklin, then 30 years old, was killed as her sons, ages 9 and 5, sat in the car and witnessed the traumatic event.
The deadly encounter unfolded on April 14, 2017, after weeks of escalating harassment. Prosecutors described how McBride relentlessly followed and threatened Franklin after the end of their two-year relationship. On the day of the killing, McBride waited for Franklin at a church parking lot, where she had planned to drop off her children.
Sensing danger upon spotting McBride at the church, Franklin opted not to exit her car. Instead, she called 911 and drove away with her children, seeking safety. The desperate move, however, proved futile.
As Franklin tried to escape, McBride chased her through the streets of Richmond. At the intersection of 29th Street and Rheem Avenue, McBride maneuvered his vehicle to block hers, forcing her to a stop. He then exited his car and approached Franklin’s vehicle.
The harrowing moments that followed were captured on Franklin’s ongoing 911 call. Pleading for her children’s safety, Franklin’s pleas were met with fatal violence.
McBride shot Franklin at close range, ending her life as her sons screamed from the back seat. While the children were not physically harmed, the trauma of witnessing the attack left a lasting impact.
Family members described Franklin as a devoted mother whose primary concern was the well-being of her boys. Relatives and advocates have since criticized the escalation of McBride’s behavior and the warning signs that led up to the tragedy.
A jury in Contra Costa County found McBride guilty of murder, firing into an occupied vehicle, stalking, and using a firearm to cause death. The verdict came after a trial where evidence detailed weeks of intimidation and the final confrontation that ended in gunfire.
Local officials responded to the sentencing by emphasizing the broader problem of domestic violence, stating that the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by individuals attempting to leave abusive relationships. Authorities urged anyone experiencing similar threats to seek help from support services and law enforcement.
With the imposition of McBride’s sentence, the years-long case comes to an end. Franklin’s children are now in the care of relatives as family members seek to help them heal from the devastating loss.