Dedrick D. Gobert was a promising young actor who appeared in three films directed by John Singleton, most notably as Dooky, the pacifier-sucking friend of Ice Cube’s character in Boyz N The Hood. However, his life and career were cut short when he was fatally shot during a fight at an illegal drag race in California in 1994. This article will explore the details of his death, the trial of his killer, and his legacy in the film industry.
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The Night of the Shooting
According to Wikipedia, on November 19, 1994, Gobert and almost 40 other people were involved in an illegal drag race in Mira Loma, California, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. The race was organized by Gobert’s friend, Ignacio Hernandez, who was a participant in the race. During the event, a fight broke out between Gobert and members of a gang called Akrho Boyz Crazzy (ABC), an affiliate of the Bloods.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the fight started when Gobert and his girlfriend, Jenny Hyon, confronted a group of ABC members who were blocking their car. Hyon testified that one of the gang members, Sonny Enraca, pulled out a gun and shot Gobert in the chest. Hernandez, who was nearby, tried to shield Gobert from further shots, but was also hit by Enraca. Hyon was shot in the neck as she attempted to flee the scene.
Gobert and Hernandez were pronounced dead at the scene. Hyon survived, but was left paralyzed from the neck down. She later underwent surgery to remove the bullet from her spine.
The Arrest and Trial of Sonny Enraca
On December 12, 1994, police arrested Sonny Enraca based on information they received from a witness at the shooting scene. Enraca, a Philippine national who had lived in the United States for eight years, was a member of the ABC gang. Enraca initially denied involvement in the shootings but confessed soon after being arrested.
Enraca claimed he was acting in self-defense, after Gobert reached under his shirt as if he had a gun. However, no weapon was found on Gobert or at the scene. Enraca also said he did not know that Gobert was an actor or that he had appeared in Boyz N The Hood.
On May 5, 1999, a jury found Sonny Enraca guilty of two counts of first-degree murder with a multiple-murder special circumstance finding and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to cause great bodily injury. On May 12, Enraca was sentenced to death.
The Legacy of Dedrick D. Gobert
Dedrick D. Gobert was only 22 years old when he died. He had appeared in three films directed by John Singleton: Boyz N The Hood (1991), Poetic Justice (1993), and Higher Learning (1995), which were released after his death. He also had a cameo role in Menace II Society (1993).
Gobert’s most memorable role was as Dooky, a friend of Doughboy (Ice Cube) in Boyz N The Hood. Dooky was noted for his ever-present pacifier, which he sucked on throughout the film. The character’s pacifier has been cited as the origin of the pacifier trend that was popular among teenagers and young adults in the early 1990s.
Gobert’s death shocked and saddened many people who knew him or admired his work. Singleton dedicated Higher Learning to him and said he was “a very talented young man who had a bright future ahead of him”. Ice Cube also paid tribute to him and said he was “a good kid who got caught up in some bad stuff”.
Gobert’s death also raised awareness about the dangers of illegal street racing and gang violence. His mother, Barbara Fontenot-Gobert, became an advocate for victims’ rights and anti-violence programs. She also sued Riverside County for negligence and wrongful death, claiming that the authorities failed to prevent or stop the illegal drag race that led to her son’s death.
Gobert’s death remains a tragic example of how a promising life can be cut short by senseless violence. His legacy lives on through his films and his fans who remember him as Dooky, the pacifier-sucking actor in Boyz N The Hood.
