AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. – The Spokane County Medical Examiner has officially identified the man shot and killed by a security guard on Saturday in Mead as 48 year-old John Franklin.
Franklin’s son, Brock, was also shot, and as of Monday night was still in the hospital receiving treatment.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) says the two men were trespassing on land owned by the Bonneville Power Administration, and got into an altercation with a security guard after being approached, which led to the security guard shooting them.
Deputies say the investigation remains ongoing, but so far no charges have been filed in connection with the case.
Those who knew John Franklin say he was a family man, and are still grappling with the fact that he’s gone.
One of those people is Josh Hitchens, the owner of Airway Motocross Park in Airway Heights, who’s still trying to process the sudden loss of his friend.
“You know we’re all going to die, but you just never really expect something so shocking to happen to one of your friends,” Hitchens said.
Hitchens says Franklin and his family became regulars at the motocross park since Hitchens took it over nearly a decade ago, and spent a lot of their time there doing what they loved–riding dirt bikes.
“There were a lot of times that he spent out here just peddling around on a bike watching his sons ride,” Hitchens said. “They’d be here all day, all the time.”
Hitchens and Franklin built a friendship centered around their love for motocross, as detailed in Hitchens’ Facebook post from the weekend memorializing his friend.
“He was just always a good guy to talk to, always a positive guy–other than getting a little emotional over his dirt bike every once in a while,” Hitchens said with a chuckle.
The news that the two men were shot on Saturday was indescribable for Hitchens.
“I got on my phone and texted him immediately, saying, ‘Hey man, you okay? There are some crazy rumors going around, hope you guys are safe,” Hitchens said. “Then I texted him again after I found out [he passed away], just a picture of the track, you know, kind of my last little goodbye.”
Hitchens still has some unanswered questions about the exact circumstances that lead to Franklin’s death.
“I mean the short version of the story was he was taking his son riding in a place where everyone goes and rides their dirt bikes, and somehow he ended up getting shot to death,” Hitchens said. “Like, that just doesn’t make any sense.”
While he waits for answers, his focus is on remembering his friend.
“John was a solid guy, a good family guy, a good dad,” Hitchens said. “It’s a shame that he’s gone, definitely taken way, way too soon. As far as the kids go, we’re just going to do everything we can to be there for them.”
Hitchens says the Airway Motocross Park will be holding several fundraisers benefiting the Franklin family. Details aren’t quite set in stone yet though–Hitchens says the best way to stay in the loop is by following the park’s Facebook page, which can be found by clicking here.
