Alexis Frankel manslaughter case

On June 1, 2020, a planned drug transaction in Fort Smith turned violent and chaotic, ending with the death of 23-year-old Wright Sando.

How it happened

According to court records, Frankel traveled from Florida to Arkansas and arranged to sell approximately 10 pounds of marijuana to Landon Silva. Silva and his girlfriend arrived at an apartment expecting a drug deal. Instead, prosecutors say Frankel and Sando intended to rob them.

During the encounter, Sando entered the apartment armed with a rifle. Silva responded by firing his own weapon, killing Sando. Investigators later determined the shooting was an act of self-defense.

As the situation unraveled, Frankel allegedly shoved the apartment’s owner, Alejandro Ortiz, who fell and struck his head against a refrigerator. Frankel then drew a pistol and shot Silva, who survived after being transported to the hospital.

Frankel fled but turned himself in on June 16, 2020, surrendering at the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center. Authorities charged him with manslaughter in Sando’s death, first-degree battery with a weapon, and multiple counts of armed robbery.

Accidental police shooting

While processing the crime scene, a Fort Smith police detective accidentally discharged a firearm, striking another detective in the hand and chest. The injured detective was wearing a ballistic vest and suffered only minor injuries. The department placed the involved officers on administrative leave while Arkansas State Police reviewed the incident.

Outcome

Frankel, now 30, was later convicted of manslaughter. Records show he received a 10-year sentence and is currently housed in an Arkansas Department of Corrections work-release facility.

Although Frankel did not fire the fatal shot that killed Sando, prosecutors held him criminally responsible for orchestrating the robbery that set the deadly chain of events in motion.