Gun Violence 258
Rashiek Austin, 39, goofball who had the biggest smile and a bigger heart
Anyone who knew Rashiek Austin knew that when they saw him, that goofball was going to be messing around. “Anything he did was goofy,” said Sharita, the youngest of his there sisters. “All he did was make you laugh because he always had something funny to do or to say.” Rashiek grew up in Nicetown […]
Matthew Thomas, 47, left behind 7,000 pieces of artwork—and one terrible tattoo
We all make mistakes in life, but the mistake Matthew Thomas made was so ridiculous that he ended up on TV. The show was “America’s Worst Tattoo” on TLC, and you can guess where this is going. His tattoo was on his lower back, and he headed straight to South Jersey when he heard the […]
Benjamin ‘Benny Blancco’ Saeed Davis, 24, a helping hand and ravenous rapper
A car ride with Benjamin Saeed Davis, aka Benny Blancco, meant listening to instrumentals and beats that he would inevitably freestyle to—with rhymes that never missed. Benjamin cared for those around him with a passion that rivaled his love of music. In his presence, you were sure to find people laughing, smiling and most definitely […]
Braiheen Jamison, 22, home health aide who wanted to marry fiancee ‘and have 10 kids’
It was the spring of 2011, and Braiheen Jamison was preparing to start his new life. A recent graduate of Glenn Mills High School, Braiheen had a job interview lined up and was expecting a baby boy with his fiancee, Kenya. “They wanted to get married and have 10 kids,” says his mother, Wendy Jamison. […]
Anthony L. Merriett, 55, had a thing for his family, chess—and aliens
Anthony L. Merriett took his work seriously, building a career for himself in construction with a legacy that lives on in storefronts and homes across the city. But he never took himself too seriously—or the aliens he said would be coming any day now. “He had this thing for aliens,” said his wife, Philon Carter, […]
Ahmad Abrams, 18, rec center counselor who was deciding among his many college acceptance letters
Ahmad Abrams was going places. Fresh off graduating high school with honors, he started a job at UPS, but that was only temporary. He was in the process of deciding whether to join the Navy reserves or go straight to one of the many colleges that had accepted him—maybe Pitt, or Pace University in New […]
Donald Henderson, 24, ‘Wiggles’ the ballplayer who also became the neighborhood handyman
Like a lot of parents, it was Lamont “Monty G” Anderson’s dream for his son Donald to follow in his footsteps. So Lamont was thrilled when he showed interest in his father’s career. Monty recalls taking Donald as a kid with him to practice rapping, dressing him like the hip-hop artists, teaching him how to […]
Jasmine Lewis, 20, college basketball star dreaming of the WNBA
Jasmine Aaliyah Lewis started playing basketball in fourth grade, and it quickly became apparent that she had talent. She fell in love with the game at Sturgis Playground in East Oak Lane, then perfected her skills on the court at Mastery Charter North High School. By the time she reached Lackawanna College in Scranton, Jasmine […]
Shahid Davis, 19, planned to further his education
Life was moving in a positive direction for Shahid Quayyum Ahzire Davis. After getting into trouble as a juvenile, he applied himself and was awarded a two-year scholarship to La Salle University. After graduating from Philadelphia North Academy in 2010, though, he told his mother that he wanted to defer his college enrollment for a […]
Trevonte Marks, a ‘man of the house’ at 15, who aspired to be a designer, rapper
Trevonte Marks never wore a bad outfit. Whether it was his school uniform or if he was dressing up for a special occasion, Trevonte, or better known as Tre, always made sure he looked good. Inspired by his dad and uncle’s style, Trevonte loved streetwear and sneaker culture, as noted by his impressive collection of […]
Michael L. Miller, 23, excellent student who was about to start working at Einstein hospital
Michael L. Miller Jr. was an amazing person who grew from a big goofy kid who played around all of the time into a stellar student. And finally into a young man with big dreams, a close-knit family and a new job on the horizon. “He had a smile that warmed your soul,” said his […]
Rashee Chiverton, 43, a protector to his family who also lost a son to gun violence
Rashee “Shay” Ashley Chiverton couldn’t help but watch over those close to him, whether it be his own family or even any of the neighbors on his tight-knit block. Once, when a neighbor locked herself out, he climbed through her window to help her get back in. “Most neighbors are elderly, and he made sure […]
Khyrie Isaac, 18, a ‘beast’ on the football field looking to start a clothing brand
Off the football field, Khyrie Isaac, could be silly and lighthearted once you got to know him, but put a helmet on him and he was a force to be reckoned with. His mother even called him a beast on the field. “He loved the sport and lived and breathed it,” said his father, Schaine. […]
Isiah Brown, 22, a well-liked guy with a sentimental heart
When Isiah Tariq Brown was a senior at Olney High School in 2009, he was voted the person who got along with everyone. “He loved his friends,” his mother Nicole Brown said. “He was outgoing and very generous and compassionate. He was a leader amongst his friends.” Isiah was born Jan. 26, 1991 in Philadelphia […]
Marc Anthony Santiago-Moyer, 24: ‘What’s our million-dollar move today?’
“What’s up, family? So what’s our million-dollar move today?” It’s a phrase Marc-Anthony Santiago Moyer would say often, and now his little brother, Ben, carries on the tradition in the mornings when he comes down for breakfast. The homage shouldn’t come as a surprise, because even though they were born 17 years apart, they spent […]
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