Dedrick D. Gobert

Dedrick Dwayne Gobert (born Dedrick Dwayne Fontenot; November 25, 1971 – November 19, 1994) was an American film actor best known for his supporting role as Dooky in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood.

Dedrick D. Gobert
Born
Dedrick Dwayne Fontenot

(1971-11-25)November 25, 1971
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 19, 1994(1994-11-19) (aged 22)
Mira Loma, California, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wound
OccupationFilm actor
Years active1991–1994

Career

Gobert made his film debut in the 1991 John Singleton film Boyz n the Hood. In the film, he portrayed the role of "Dooky", a friend of Darrin "Doughboy" Baker (Ice Cube).[1] Gobert's character was noted for his ever-present pacifier.[2] 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 (Flavor Flav, who wore one around his neck in a Public Enemy video, has also been cited as the originator).[3]

He followed with supporting roles in two other Singleton-directed films: Poetic Justice (1993) and Higher Learning (1995), which were released after his death.

Death and aftermath

On November 19, 1994, Gobert was fatally shot during a fight with several gang members in Mira Loma, California. The shooting occurred shortly after Gobert attended an illegal drag race in Mira Loma. He was 22 years old. [4][5] Gobert's friend, 19-year-old Ignacio Hernandez, who was a participant in the race, was also fatally shot when he attempted to shield Gobert during the fight. Gobert's girlfriend Jenny Hyon was shot in the right side of the neck but survived. The bullet was later removed but damaged her spinal cord and left her paralyzed from the neck down.[6][7]

On December 12, 1994, police arrested 22-year-old 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 Akrho Boyz Crazzy (ABC) gang, an affiliate of the Bloods. Enraca initially denied involvement in the shootings but confessed soon after being arrested.[8] 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.[8] On May 12, Enraca was sentenced to death.[5]

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping order in March 2019 putting an executive moratorium on California's death penalty, thus ordering a reprieve for the 737 people on death row. Sonny Enraca is one of the inmates.[9][10]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Boyz n the Hood Dooky
1993 Poetic Justice Lloyd
1995 Higher Learning Fudge's Homie Released posthumously

References
  1. McCalope, Michelle (April 29, 1991). "Why So Many Rappers Are Becoming Actors". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 80 (2): 58. ISSN 0021-5996.
  2. Viets, Elaine (September 17, 1991). "Teens' Pacifiers Won't Pacify Grown-ups". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 3D.
  3. Blumfield, Michael (December 21, 1992). "Pacifiers For Teens – Isn't That Cute?". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  4. "Actor Was One of 2 Men Killed in Drag-Race Fight". Los Angeles Times. November 22, 1994. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
  5. "The People of the State of California Vs. Sonny Enraca" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  6. "People v. Enraca". stanford.edu. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  7. The People of the State of California Vs. Sonny Enraca, pp. 8, 19.
  8. The People of the State of California Vs. Sonny Enraca, pp.11–12, 33
  9. "These are the 737 inmates on California's death row". Los Angeles Times.
  10. SCOTT SHAFER, MARISA LAGOS (March 2019). "Gov. Gavin Newsom Suspends Death Penalty In California". NPR.
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