Gang member convicted in murder of high school football player

Feb. 16, 2011, 1:41 p.m.

Photo: Danny Farber. Credit: Los Angeles Times A Compton gang member was convicted Feb. 14 in the 2009 shooting death of a high school football player.

Arlon Watson, a 22 year-old black man, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Dannie Farber, an 18-year-old black man.

On May 24, Farber, an All-City wide receiver from Harbor City's Narbonne High School, and his girlfriend were eating at Louisiana Fried Chicken in Compton about 9:40 p.m. when Watson walked through a side door and approached their table, police said.

"Where you from?" Watson said. Sensing danger, Farber replied, “I don’t gangbang.”

Watson shot Farber several times and ran out the door, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Det. Eddie Brown said. Farber tried to crawl toward the door but collapsed near the counter.

Investigators later confirmed that Farber was not involved in gangs and that Watson killed the young man based only on suspicions that his gang turf was being infringed upon.

Watson, who was arrested eight months after the shooting, faces 80 years to life in prison.

Reporter Shan Li has more: Gang member convicted in 2009 murder of Narbonne High football star

Seven reader comments

I'm the mother of a 22 year young son. I love him dearly and would give my life for him. I can't fathom the misery his mother and loved ones are enduring. I pray for the family. I pray for the vicious killers in the streets. I thank God I was present when 3 hooded gang members approached my son in front of our home in the Athens area of Los Angeles about 6 years ago. I shielded my son and preached to those 3 lost young men about the mothers in their lives and how I'm sick and tired of young, black men killing one another for no reason. I told them I loved them and God loved them. I told them I was a mother who loves her son dearly, and for them to get back into their vehicle and go home. The hooded man who was obviously armed, refrained from cursing my son and I walked him back to his car. I lovingly chastised he and his colleages and sent them on their way. My son and I went inside and prayed and thanked God I was there to stop the violence. My son is no gang member and is currently in college. The thugs approached my son in front of our home. The thugs were in a vehicle. It was 9:00pm and they obviously thought my son was alone. My son had just been dropped off at home by his girlfriend and her mother. Totally innocent.

— Regina Hamilton Feb. 25, 2011 at 1:44 p.m.

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Gang member convicted in murder of high school football player

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Seven reader comments