What happened to Kawhi Leonard’s father? Who killed him?

Here is everything you should know about Kawhi Leonard's father, Mark Leonard's death.

What happened to Kawhi Leonard’s father? Who killed him?

Kawhi Leonard is one of the most versatile players the league has ever seen. Through the years, Leonard has been seen as the quiet player on the team. A few years ago, fans would be surprised to see Leonard smile on camera. He was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs as the 15th pick. From the very start, Leonard didn’t show much of his emotional side while on camera.

The reason that was behind his silence was not his personality. Kawhi Leonard wasn’t always the quiet guy on the team. Growing up, he spent a while playing football as well as basketball. His coach and mentor was none other than his father, Mark Leonard. Mark helped Leonard improve in both sports but really wanted to see his son excel at football. Kim Leonard, Kawhi’s mother, and Mark were divorced and Kawhi would get to spend a limited amount of time with his father.

YouTube video

Related: Colin Cowherd roots for Kawhi Leonard’s trade from Clippers for being a BAD INVESTMENT

FS Video

What exactly happened to Kawhi Leonard’s father?

Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard in a post-game press conference

Leonard would spend most of his time in his father’s car wash while with him. In January 2008, Kawhi’s stepmother, Jacqueline Leonard, and Mark were at the car wash, as for them it was just a usual day. Though during the day a person came up to Mark to talk to him. There were other people in the background as well, just when the conversation got louder. Jacqueline who heard the loud discussion went outside when she saw a person in a hoodie take his gun out. The killer then started shooting, firing more than 30 rounds as reported, out of which 10 hit Mark Leonard.

YouTube video

The news reached Kawhi Leonard after Mark was announced dead in a nearby hospital. Leonard received the news from his sister, after which he was devastated. His father was also his best friend, and losing him left a scar in his memory. ‘The Klaw’ had spoken to his father hours before the incident, as he stated later. It was tougher for 16-year-old Leonard as he had a game the next day. Leonard managed to play the high school game scoring 17 points. After the game ended, he burst into tears on his mother’s shoulders. Years later his mother come up to state that after the incident Leonard had changed.

Who killed Mark Leonard?

There were multiple shootings reported in the same area and Mark’s killing seemed to have no reason even after the investigation. No arrests were made and the killer to this day has not been identified.

There were many investigations launched, though there was no real suspect found. Mark and Jacqueline were expecting their first child when this incident took place.

The same year, Zion Leonard, Kawhi’s half-brother was born who sadly, could never see his father. With no real suspects, Mark Leonard’s killing still remains a mystery.

In case you missed: