Growing up in South Philadelphia, Kahlief Myrick started his morning by looking out the window of his house. He loved the outdoors, and he was eager to go to the park or play on the block.
“He would also sometimes go to the door, unbeknownst to me,” his mother Brittany Brunson said. “I used to tell him, once he reached the doorknob, that you cannot go outside by yourself. He was just so excited.”
Kahlief was outgoing and mature for his age. He was the oldest of four kids, and he helped Brittany with looking after his younger brother and two younger sisters.
During the 2020-2021 school year, Kahlief attended online classes as a junior at South Philadelphia High School. Just like he did as a young child, he craved freedom.
“He would express to me that he really wanted to be on his own,” Brittany said. “He wanted to explore, he wanted to travel, he wanted to drive. He wanted to work. He wanted his own place.”
Kahlief would never get the opportunity to reach his dreams. On Feb. 18, 2021, he was at a 7-Eleven in Southwest Philadelphia with his cousin when he encountered a 45-year-old man, identified by police as Donald Whitingham. He allegedly asked Kahlief, “What are you looking at?” and Kahlief replied, “What are you looking at?”
The suspect left the store and waited for Kahlief to exit. When he did, police said, Whitingham shot him in the chest. Kahlief was pronounced dead a short time later. Police have issued a warrant for Whitingham’s arrest, but he is not yet in custody.
“They had never met this man. They never had any kind of interaction with this person,” Brittany said. “He most definitely needs to be brought to justice. He’s a dangerous person. He murdered a child.”
Kahlief was born April 19, 2004 in Philadelphia to Brittany and his father, Kahlief Myrick. He was a caring and sensitive child who made friends with kids who were teased by bullies, despite being bullied himself for his weight. Kahlief used humor to deflect negative comments and win his classmates over.
Kahlief enjoyed earning money. When it snowed, he’d grab a shovel and clear sidewalks and steps for his neighbors.
At a young age, Kahlief showed talent in drawing. He found joy in drawing people in the neighborhood and sketching pictures of sneakers.
That artistic ability led Kahlief to launch his own clothing line with his brother and cousin called Immortal. He got his start helping out at a print shop, and he was eventually allowed to print his own designs on hoodies, T-shirts and face masks.
Brittany supported her son’s goals and purchased him a pressing machine and a printer so he could create his designs at home. He’d sell his items to neighbors and friends, and when money would come in, he’d use it to buy more supplies.
Music was another passion, and Kahlief adopted “Fat Lief” as his performing name.
Last summer Kahlief had visited Miami with his father and he was looking forward to doing more traveling after the pandemic.
“Kahlief wasn’t perfect, but he was perfect to me,” Brittany said. “He did not deserve this. Every situation doesn’t need a reaction. You can just walk away.”
A reward of up to $20,000 if available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Kahlief’s murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
Resources are available for people and communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Click here for more information.
