Homicides 2017 51
Basil Adams, 27, a criminal justice student and choreographer
Basil Adams led a busy life. He was a criminal justice major at Cheyney University, had a part-time job at USA Kicks, and led a dance drill team. He lived in a house that his mother owned in Oxford Circle, paying the bills and handling the upkeep. Basil was running an errand when he was […]
Malik Austin, 32, doting father who endured a difficult childhood
Michael Fields laughed as he fondly recalled a special day in North Philadelphia nearly 30 years ago, when he took his little cousin, Malik Austin, to the barbershop for his first haircut. “He was about 2 years old and he had a big ol’ Afro, and I said, ‘Naw, this has got to go,’” Fields […]
Caleer Miller, 16, aspiring NBA player known for ‘peace and all smiles’
At 16 years old, Caleer Miller was 6 feet tall and still growing. His height made him a natural at basketball, as shown in videos of him dunking the ball with ease at his neighborhood court. Caleer cited the Philadelphia 76ers as his favorite team and aspired to one day go pro himself. “He was […]
Justin Braswell, 25, assisted the needy, and now his family continues his legacy
When Justin Braswell was 15, a neighbor approached his mother, Michelle. “She said, ‘I didn’t know you gave out care packages,” she recalls. The neighbor told a confused Michelle that she saw Justin give his friend a bag of food, which explains why the family’s food supply was diminishing so quickly. “If his friends were […]
Lavaun ‘Veezy’ Steward, 32, loved renovating houses and spending time with family
Hardly a day goes by when Tanya Steward doesn’t pick up her cell phone and listen to the message her younger brother Lavaun left for her on her 37th birthday in September 2017. “He’s going, ‘Happy birthday homieeeee,’ you know, singing me the whole ‘Happy Birthday’ song and then he says, ‘This is your brother […]
Shannon ‘Boogie’ Blassengale, 27, a fun-loving restaurant manager and freestyle rapper
If ever you were trying to find Shannon “Boogie” Blassengale, chances were he was at one of three places, said his mother, Tiffany Blassengale: Working at a Sonic restaurant in Philadelphia, where he was manager and known as the city’s “fastest Sonic sandwich maker”; at playgrounds in his Port Richmond neighborhood either playing basketball or […]
Dyshon Garner, 25, quiet presence known for his signature gap tooth
If you were in the same room as Dyshon Garner, you might not have even noticed. He had a quiet presence in crowds, but blossomed with a different persona when he was making music or around his closest friends. “He was quiet and he would be observing everybody,” Sharon Smith, Dyshon’s mother, said. “When he […]
Rafael Massa, 46, boxer training to be a nurse assistant who loved his daughter
Rafael Massa never wanted to stop learning. At 46 years old, he was in school at Brightwood Career Institute to become a nursing assistant. At different stages of his life, he pursued boilermaking, asphalt, general education and now medical studies. “He was always eager just to learn the next thing,” Lisa Howell, Rafael’s ex-wife, said. […]
Brandyn Beard, 39, a good friend to many, adored his English bulldog
Brandyn Beard was a bubbly, outgoing person who doted on his English bulldog, Holly. “He treated that dog better than he treated himself,” his sister, Tyra Washington, said. “Everyone who knows Brandyn knows Holly was his baby girl. He threw parties for her, got her doggie cupcakes and dressed her in doggie clothes.” Brandyn was […]
Michael Cousette, 27, looked forward to raising his son with the love of his life
The love story of Michael Cousette and Naadirah Fate is not a typical one. They first set eyes on each other during a visit at the prison where Michael was incarcerated. Naadirah, a 29-year-old hairstylist from North Philadelphia, was friends with Michael’s sister, and she had come along with her to the prison to keep […]
Hakim Rashik Sinkler, 27, loving personality paired with ‘a smile that would melt anyone’s heart’
Hakim Sinkler would do anything for those he loved. If you were having a hard time, he would ask, “what can I do for you?” at the drop of a dime. “The fact that you could call him at 5 o’clock in the morning,” Anjennette Caldwell, Hakim’s former girlfriend, said. “It doesn’t matter how late […]
Nasir Livingston, 17, enjoyed riding bikes and playing sports
When Nasir Livingston was about 10 years old, his world fell apart when his mother died. “It crushed him,” said Tyrique Glasgow, who lived near Nasir in Grays Ferry. “That’s where all his guidance was, and it was taken.” Nasir had some run-ins with the law and anger management issues, but he was a good […]
Daymond ‘Cash’ Garner, 29, aspiring chef who pulled through tough times
Even when Daymond Garner cooked up something as simple as a cheesesteak, he never kept it basic. He’d go through the fridge and cabinets and toss in everything but the kitchen sink. He probably would have put that in, too, if it wasn’t bolted down, said his cousin, Davida Garner. “It was like, everything he […]
Kristian Hamilton-Arthur, 28, Children’s Hospital worker with dreams of making it big in real estate
Kristian Hamilton-Arthur had big dreams. And his mother said her son had the drive to be successful. “He wanted to be a millionaire,” Crystal Arthur said. “His thing was he didn’t want to work for anybody. He wanted to be his own boss. He was determined.” Kristian was born July 21, 1988 in Philadelphia. He […]
Erica McClellan, 17, feisty teenager with a raspy voice
May 11, 2018 wouldn’t just have been Erica McClellan’s 18th birthday, but also her senior prom. “When school went back in session this year, and she got her senior itinerary, the first thing she texted me was, ‘Mom, my senior prom is on my 18th birthday. I’m gonna save all my money, because I want […]
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