2016 97
Kyle Manley, 34: ‘No, not Kyle! Why would that happen to him?’
Losing a loved one to gun violence is never easy, but people were particularly surprised when Kyle Manley was shot. “People were saying, ‘No, not Kyle! Why would that happen to him?’” said his only brother, Todd Manley, a patrol officer at the University of Pennsylvania. “He wasn’t into that type of lifestyle.” The fact […]
David Becton, 31: ‘If you have family, you are rich’
David Becton was one of the most optimistic people his family knew, always looking on the bright side as he went through life with a smile on his face and a strong work ethic in his heart. He had a nickname for everyone, and many of them often stuck. “If you have family, you are […]
Nashawn Jones, 25, the funniest rapper who never got the chance to make it
It was Nashawn Jones’s dream to become the next rap artist who made it out of Philadelphia. “He always said he was going to buy me a big house and move me out of the city,” said his mother, Patricia Jones. “And I was looking forward to his dream becoming his reality one day soon.” […]
Antonio “Tony” Miller, 25: ‘My gentle giant’
Antonio “Tony” Miller was the ultimate prankster. One time, he convinced his young niece that he was talking to her through the TV, assuming the identity of SpongeBob SquarePants. Tony chatted with the stunned girl on the phone, describing exactly what she was wearing and watching. In reality, her father had fed Tony the information […]
Terrance Stewart, 35, shared a birthday with his youngest sister
On Terrance Stewart’s sixth birthday in 1987, his mother called him from the hospital where she had just given birth to her youngest daughter Shadeea. He asked what she had gotten him for his birthday, and she said, “a little sister.” His reply: “I don’t want that. I wanted a dog.” Although Terrance and Shadeea […]
Adrienne Marie Lindsay, 52, U Penn employee who loved her family
Adrienne Marie Lindsay, a devoted daughter, mother and grandmother, was killed on Sept. 2, 2016, at 52 years old. But the tragic end to her life could not overshadow a life filled with love. “She was such a lovable person,” said her mother, Willie Clara Lindsay. “Everybody just loved her.” Adrienne was born in Philadelphia […]
Quantico Brunson, a smiling 17-year-old who aspired to build schools
When Quantico Mareno Brunson pictured his future, he saw himself playing football for the Temple Owls, becoming an engineer and building things. “He always said he wanted to build schools and houses,” his mother Shantice Wideman said. “He wanted to build a big old house with 15 rooms so all of my family can be […]
Christine Rambo, 40, a free spirit who adored children
Bubbly and free-spirited, Christine Ann Rambo had a special way with children. At family gatherings, she was the adult who would get down on the floor and roll around and play with the kids, and they loved her. “She was a very fun person,” her sister-in-law Gretchen Rambo said. “The kids were attracted to her. […]
Marcos Malave, 32: “He was a very helpful and kindhearted person”
The above image, Marcos Malave, was created by artist Guy Kiernan as part of the 2021-2022 Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibition. _____________________________________________________________________________ Nearly every morning, Marcos Malave would make the 10-minute walk to the house that his mother and sister shared in North Philadelphia so they could have breakfast together on the porch. “Coffee, toast […]
Troy Smith Jr., 23, aspiring corrections officer whose death started another family tradition
The above sculpture, Troy Smith Jr., was created by artist Laura Frazure as part of the 2021-2022 Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibition. _____________________________________________________________________________ Troy Smith Jr. was all about family. He had close relationships with his siblings and other relatives, and spending time with them was a top priority. “Anything that had to do with […]
Martin Alicea, 29, a family man who had coffee with his mother every morning
Every morning, Luis Martin Alicea would go to his parents’ house for coffee. He loved how his mother Elsa made it, his cousin Jessie Alejandro-Cruz said. Now, Elsa has continued this tradition, but in a different way. Martin, a talented baseball player, music producer and father of five, had just gotten a haircut on the […]
Cameron Robertson, 26, serial entrepreneur and father
At a young age, Cameron Robertson decided he didn’t want to work for anyone. So, as a teenager, he became a serial entrepreneur, first selling T-shirts outside of concerts and sports venues. Over the next several years, his business ventures kept pace with his dreams. “He was very goal-driven,” said his sister, Kristen Robertson. “If […]
Anthony Molina, 25, a restaurant chef with an upbeat personality
Even though they were a year apart, Anthony Molina and his sister Shanna were often mistaken as twins when they were kids. “We were very, very close,” she said. “He was very protective of me.” Anthony, whom everyone called Tony, was born in Philadelphia on Aug. 6, 1990, and grew up in Kensington. He and […]
Jayvon Mitchell Pendleton, 20, student at Cheyney University with big dreams
As a mother, Felicia Pendleton didn’t have the smoothest path when it came to raising her first child, Jayvon Mitchell Pendleton. Born in Philadelphia on Feb. 17, 1996, Jayvon suffered from ADHD and bipolar disorder. “It really wasn’t easy as a single parent, but I never gave up on him,” Felicia said. She provided guidance […]
Raymond Pantoja, 26, a rapper who also loved ‘The Notebook’
When Raymond Pantoja was born, he saved his mother’s life. “I was five years lost in drugs,” Lisa Espinosa, Raymond’s mother, said. “Raymond was my lifesaver, because when he was born, he made me realize this was my last time, and I had to get my life together.” Raymond, better known as RJ, changed the […]
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