On April 12, 2026, 48‑year‑old Kendrick English was fatally shot outside the Five Star Banquet Hall in Sunrise, Florida, after a confrontation with a security guard who has since been charged with murder.
English, who had lived with paralysis since a high school football injury in 1995, attempted to enter the banquet hall at 6072 West Oakland Park Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. during a birthday party. According to Sunrise Police, he was denied entry by the guard, identified as Francisco Navarro Sanchez, 26, of Miami‑Dade County.
English left briefly but returned to try again, at which point the argument escalated. Witnesses reported that English swore at the guard, who then drew a Glock 19 handgun and fired multiple rounds, striking English several times .
Emergency responders transported English to a nearby hospital, but he did not survive his injuries. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators captured approximately five gunshots, followed by panic among partygoers.
Police said Sanchez re‑holstered his weapon and fled the scene but later returned voluntarily after detectives contacted him. He was arrested and charged with first‑degree murder. A Broward County judge denied him bail, and he remains in custody at the Broward County Main Jail .
Loved ones described English as a gentle and humble soul who was well‑known in the community. Friends and family gathered for a candlelight vigil at the site of the shooting, leaving candles and balloons in his memory. They questioned how a man confined to an electric wheelchair could have posed any threat, emphasizing that English was defenseless. “He was a dear friend and would give the shirt off his back. He’s gonna be missed deeply,” said one mourner .
English’s life had been defined by resilience. As a teenager at Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale, he was a promising football player until a severe injury left him quadriplegic. During his hospitalization in 1995, he was honored as Sport Shake’s Outstanding High School Player of the Week and vowed not to let the setback define him. Over the years, he remained active in his community, receiving a specially equipped van in 2004 to maintain independence and continuing to inspire others with his optimism .
The case has drawn widespread attention in South Florida, with community members calling for accountability and questioning the use of deadly force against a disabled man. Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the shooting, while prosecutors prepare to pursue charges against Sanchez. For those who knew Kendrick English, the tragedy is a painful reminder of his enduring spirit and the joy he brought to others despite lifelong challenges