This story was produced as part of our Writing Heals program, in which we hire a family member of the deceased to write the story of the loved one they lost. For more information or to sign up to write about someone you lost to gun violence, click here.
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By Dana Cook, Rasheed’s mother
Although Brasheed Cook wasn’t the most talkative person, he was a very funny person who was always making jokes. Like the time Brasheed and his mother, Dana, went rock climbing, and Brasheed told her to pull herself up. She couldn’t quite get it and kept slipping back down the rocks. It was kind of a mess.
“Clean up on Aisle 3!” he said, and everyone laughed.
That was typical Sheed, because he said it with love. To know him was to love him. From his humorous nature to his attentiveness and contagious smile, he sure made everyone’s day. Brasheed was the heart of the family, and he was very close to his siblings.
Sheed and his mother shared something very similar: their hearts and kindness willing to give someone their last just to see them smile. “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness,” they both liked to say.
Besides being affectionately known as “Sheed,” his friends also called him “Black.” He was just wearing all black one day, and the nickname stuck.
Although Sheed being quiet and often staying to himself, he managed to make lots of friends. One guy in particular turned into a member of the family, like they got another brother. Sheed and Raheem Houser played together, ate together, laughed together, cried together, honestly practically lived together.
You wouldn’t see one without the other. Of course, like brothers do, they had their arguments but their bond was above all. The two never judged anyone or treated anyone differently regardless of your situation. Their brotherhood was genuine, and it was all love at the end of the day.
“I was lucky enough to grow up with these types of friends,” Raheem said. “I love them bulls, and as time moved on, we all walked our own path of life to be men, but that never stopped us from being there for each other.”
“We stayed real close for 20 years and were still going strong.”
As kids the two would channel their energy into something that was good for them, boxing. Brasheed loved it, and he and Raheem would often visit the recreation center to train.
He was planning on getting back into it when he was killed a week after his 32nd birthday.
On August 16 2024, while going on his daily walk, Brasheed was shot on Olney Avenue near Geneva in Olney section of Philadelphia near the Tacony Creek.
He had grown up in the neighborhood and was a wonderful baby, Dana said. He always had a smile on, even when he was a baby.
He turned into a straight-A student all through Olney High School. He loved to read and learn new things, and he always took good care of himself and his possessions. He was even was awarded a certificate for perfect uniform.
But that wouldn’t surprise anyone who knew him as he grew up. He always was a very well dressed man who loved to be very neat and clean.
Besides boxing, Sheed was good with his hands in other ways. He had a knack for fixing electronics.
“If a TV wasn’t working he could fix it. If his stereo was broken he could fix it,” Dana said. “Any bikes that were broken his brothers came to him so he could fix them.”
Dana and Brasheed loved going on walks together, but he’d go out nearly every day on one by himself as well. Until he never came back from his last.
Naturally, the family was devastated by the news when he died.
“This tragedy hit our family hard. Things will never be the same,” said his brother, Brahiem Cook. “Brasheed wasn’t the type to get into anything. He had a heart of gold.”
The family wanted to send him a message:
Brasheed didn’t deserve this to have been done to him. All that our family has is memories and unforgettable moments. Our family has all good memories of Sheed No bad ones, And we are truly grateful for that. But we know you are now in a better place and watching down on us, smiling saying everything will be okay.
Brasheed, we unfortunately have to apologize that this happened to you. We love you and you will forever be missed. You are gone but will never be forgotten. Your siblings promise to be there for one another and Mommy at this time of losing you.
We will get justice for you and though it won’t bring you back we could return the smile to you knowing we got justice for you.
Anyone with information regarding any murder is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS (8477). There is a $20,000.00 reward leading to the conviction of a suspect.
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