A family from Northern California, who previously survived a mass shooting in 2017, is now facing another crisis with the recent fatal boating accident in Bodega Bay.
On the evening of November 2, six individuals—three adults and three children—were reported missing after they went crabbing in a small 21-foot white Bayliner boat and did not make it back to shore. The authorities confirmed that the Sonoma County Sheriff began the search at about 10:20 p.m.
Among those on the boat was 17-year-old Johnny Phommathep II, whose remains were discovered washed ashore the following day. His younger brother Jake, 14, and their father Johnny, 41, are believed to be missing at sea.
The Phommathep family resides in Tehama County, approximately 180 miles north of Sonoma.
Tiffany Phommathep II, the boys’ mother, stated that her source of strength during this heartbreaking time comes from her husband, whom she describes as a “wonderful dad,” according to local news outlet KTVU-TV. Johnny Phommathep Sr. is an Iraqi war veteran and serves as a volunteer firefighter.
Tiffany noted that this situation is overwhelmingly painful, especially since her sons had already survived gunshot injuries during the 2017 mass shooting incident in Rancho Tehama.
“My sons Johnny and Jake have endured a lot,” she shared with KTVU-TV. “They faced one tragedy already, and now this.”
Five lives claimed in the 2017 shooting spree
In November 2017, a gunman named Kevin Janson Neal killed five people and injured 14 in the rural community of Rancho Tehama in Tehama County before taking his own life. The rampage spanned seven different locations.
The first victim was Neal’s wife, who was murdered in their home, with her body concealed in a hole he created in the floor.
During that tragic day, Tiffany Phommathep was shot while driving her truck, along with her sons Johnny and Jake, who were aged 10 and 7 at the time. Her youngest son Niko, who was just two years old then, suffered injuries from shattered glass, according to a report by the Redding Record Searchlight, part of the YSL News Network.
Johnny Phommathep Sr., now presumed lost at sea with his son Jake, shared his traumatic experience with the Record Searchlight in 2017. He recounted how Tiffany lost consciousness briefly due to her injuries but managed to drive away, eventually flagging down a police officer for help.
“My family has always held more value than any money could ever provide. Money can’t replace my family,” he stated back in 2017. “I know I need to be more present for them and recognize the signs from my past experiences with trauma from war.”
11-year-old boy rescued from boat
Alongside the three members of the Phommathep family were their 45-year-old cousin Prasong, Prasong’s 11-year-old son Juladi, and their friend Matthew Ong, age 42, according to KGO-TV.
Prasong was found alive on a cooler, which the young boy had used to stay afloat, reported KGO-TV.
After a search lasting about 57 hours, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that the search for the four missing boaters would be suspended around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
“The decision to halt a search is always tough and never taken lightly,” stated U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa. “Our hearts and prayers are with the families of those missing at this extremely challenging time.”
In the wake of losing her 17-year-old son, Tiffany expressed her perseverance, hoping that her husband and younger son might still be alive.
“The chances are slim,” she shared with the Los Angeles Times. “Still, I wish to hold on to the hope that they somehow made it to shore.”
A GoFundMe campaign set up to assist the victims has managed to raise more than $40,000 by Friday night.
