When he was only fourteen years old, Brandon made headlines for a tragic incident that shocked the nation—shooting and killing his schoolmate Larry King at their California junior high school. The case drew widespread attention, especially because Larry was openly gay, which led to initial charges being filed as a hate crime. However, after the legal proceedings, Brandon wasn’t convicted of a hate crime but instead found guilty of firearm use, voluntary manslaughter, and second-degree murder.

Before all the media coverage and courtroom drama, there were signs things were escalating. In the days leading up to the shooting, it was reported that Brandon had reached out to other students, asking them to help him physically confront King, whom he claimed had been harassing him. This added layers of complexity to an already heartbreaking situation.

Brandon was born in Ventura, California, into a troubled family background. His mother, Kendra, struggled with methamphetamine addiction, and his father, William, had a history involving domestic violence and time served in jail. These circumstances painted a picture of a difficult upbringing that many later pointed to when trying to understand what led to the tragedy.

During the trial, emotions ran high. Brandon’s half-brother, James Bing, attempted to appeal directly to the jury outside the courtroom—an action that ultimately got him banned from attending any further court proceedings. It was just one moment in a long, painful chapter marked by loss, legal battles, and public scrutiny. Throughout it all, Brandon remained at the center of a national conversation about youth violence, bullying, and justice.