William Ray Bonner was born on March 28, 1948, and lived in the South Side of Los Angeles, California. Known to his neighbors and acquaintances as a quiet, polite young man, Bonner had a troubled history with law enforcement. Between 1966 and 1973, he was arrested six times for narcotics violations, assault, and grand theft auto. His most serious offense resulted in three years of probation for assaulting a police officer.

Despite these issues, those who knew Bonner described him as submissive and easygoing. A former coworker at a gas station said Bonner was one of the best workers they had. His longtime acquaintance and later defense attorney, Herman English, recalled Bonner as a calm person who mentally changed drastically after the 1973 shooting spree.

Bonner’s father, James A. Bonner, reported that in the days before the rampage, his son received threats from a so-called "Mafia gang," though no evidence of organized crime involvement was confirmed.

On April 22, 1973, Los Angeles witnessed one of its deadliest shooting rampages when 25-year-old William Ray Bonner embarked on a violent spree that left seven people dead and nine others wounded. The attack began at Bonner’s own home during a heated argument with Otha Leavitt, a 53-year-old friend of his mother. Enraged, Bonner shot and killed Leavitt before turning his gun on two teenagers outside,16-year-old Anthony Thomas and 17-year-old Carolyn Cleveland, both of whom survived despite serious injuries. Bonner then stole Leavitt’s Plymouth Valiant and set off on a deadly journey through South Los Angeles.

Armed with a handgun and a 20-gauge shotgun, Bonner’s next stop was a nearby gas station, where he encountered sisters Vicky Wells, 18, and Aileen Wells, 13, both known to him since childhood. He critically wounded Vicky and fatally shot Aileen as she ran toward the service area. Minutes later, Bonner arrived at another service station where he had previously worked. There, he shot and killed 33-year-old Raleigh “Butch” Henderson, a former coworker and friend who had once helped him secure a job. Another attendant, James Morrow, escaped uninjured after witnessing the attack. Bonner then entered the home of 57-year-old Jevie Thompson, whom he blamed for a recent dispute involving Thompson’s son. Bonner fatally shot Jevie and wounded Jevie’s wife, Eddie Mae Thompson, and their 15-year-old son Alfred.

The rampage continued as Bonner stormed into Smitty’s Drive-In Liquors, killing its owner, 58-year-old Smitty B. Sneed, with a shotgun blast to the stomach. A 58-year-old customer, Duly Oscar Bennett, was also shot and wounded during the attack. From there, Bonner headed to Liquorama Liquors, where he shot and critically wounded 23-year-old employee Robert L. Smith and injured 28-year-old Roosevelt D. Jenkins in the leg. Bonner then drove to the home of his former girlfriend, 22-year-old Diane Lore Andrea, who had sided with Vernon Thompson during a dispute the previous night. He shot Andrea in the neck, killing her instantly.

By this time, police were in pursuit. At approximately 3:25 p.m., officers spotted Bonner’s car and attempted to stop him. A chase ensued, ending when Bonner crashed into the rear of 45-year-old Mary Felton’s car. Bonner commandeered the vehicle, holding Felton and her two daughters hostage at gunpoint. Security guard Versell Bennett intervened, bravely pursuing and engaging Bonner in a shootout. Police arrived moments later, mistook Bennett for the gunman, and inadvertently shot him twice. Bonner was also struck multiple times before being arrested at 3:29 p.m. Versell Bennett died four days later from his injuries, adding to the tragedy’s death toll.

In total, the rampage claimed the lives of Diane Lore Andrea, Raleigh Henderson, Otha Leavitt, Smitty B. Sneed, Jevie D. Thompson, 13-year-old Aileen Wells, and security guard Versell Bennett. The wounded included Anthony Thomas, Carolyn Cleveland, Vicky Wells, Eddie Mae Thompson, Alfred Thompson, Duly Oscar Bennett, Robert L. Smith, Roosevelt D. Jenkins, and Mary Felton. Bonner, who had a history of minor criminal offenses and reported threats from gang affiliates, pleaded guilty later that year and was sentenced to life in prison. He remained incarcerated until his death at San Quentin State Prison on January 4, 2022, at the age of 73.