3:05pm Wednesday | In the wake of the news that the family of Melody Ross has filed wrongful death claims against both the Long Beach Unified School District and the City of Long Beach, a relative of the slain teenager has come forward to say that the claim is solely the decision of the girl’s parents and that the action has caused a rift in the large Cambodian family.
Chom and Vantha Ross, the parents of Melody Ross, filed both claims in January after their daughter was shot and killed as an innocent bystander during an alleged gang shooting outside Wilson High School shortly following a football game.
Sam Che, a very visible member of the family and the uncle of Melody Ross, said that he opposes the lawsuit filed by his sister and brother-in-law and that the decision to move forward with the claim has divided relatives.
“I don’t believe in what they’re doing and I hope they change their mind,” Che said in a phone conversation with the lbpost.com. “I just want to speak my heart and apologize for why my sister did this.”
Che said he was involved in early discussions between the family and a paralegal and knew that Melody’s parents were exploring the option of filing a claim, but said he separated himself from the decision and thought the matter had disappeared when he hadn’t heard new information. He first read of the claim being filed in an lbpost.com article on Tuesday afternoon.
Reaction to that article from readers was overwhelmingly negative about the family’s decision to file a wrongful death claim.
“I read all of the comments and I have to say I agree with them,” Che said. “To me it was a slap in the face to the people that were standing behind our family. If [Melody’s mother] wants things to change at the schools, ok, let’s go talk to the schools. Let’s go talk to the City. But to sue them? What’s the point? Just to get money? I’m just hurt and shocked and a little bitter.”
Che was recently profiled in the Press-Telegram for his decision to go back to school in honor of his niece, an honor student at Wilson High when she was killed. He now attends Long Beach City College.
The story seemed to have a happy ending, but Che says that the decision to file the wrongful death claim may have ended his relationship with his sister. He isn’t the only one in the family that feels that way, he says. Che says that most of the extended Ross family were opposed to filing the claims against the school district and the City of Long Beach. The decision goes against the memory of his niece, he says.
“It just went from love and caring and what she stood for, and now it’s money,” he said. “The school has already endured so much – the City, the community.”
Che also had strong words for the lawyers representing the case, although he did not comment on the case itself or how the decision was made to file the claims because he was not involved in the process. Ultimately, Che says, the decision was in the hands of his sister and brother-in-law, and lawyers are not to blame.
Che says expressed deep appreciation for the support from the community, and that he understands the emotions of many who feel betrayed. Che said he understands what his sister is feeling, but does not agree with her actions.
“We don’t want another family to go through that [tragedy],” he said. “But you don’t bite the hand that helped you.”
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