Kasif Bronzell was in love, and he surely made his girlfriend know it.
They went away to New York often enough that she called it their home away from home. But he went over the top for their last birthday together. She opened the door to their hotel room and found it full of decorations.
“I was so surprised and shocked that I laughed and cried at the same time. That’s my Sheffy,” his girlfriend of more than six years, Jernara Johnson, said as she forced back the tears. “He was the most romantic man I’ve ever dated.”
Their date night was always Fridays, and they were always going to the movies together, which was his favorite. “I will always miss his sense of humor and especially our trips we took together making lasting memories,” she said.
His life was cut short on June 30, 2023 on 19th Street street near Dickinson in Point Breeze. His body was found lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds, but no one has been arrested for the murder.
He had grown up in the neighborhood in a big family—seven brothers and sisters. His little sister, Kameenah, the youngest of them all, said they were they closest, maybe because they bonded over being the youngest of each gender.
Although they were more than 10 years, Kameenah’s bond with her brother was unbreakable. Anytime she needed advice, it would be nothing to pick up the phone or go visit. “He always made time for me,” she said.
Although it was hard at first, Kameenah and Jernara both find themselves laughing as they tell stories about him. Probably because Kasif was such a silly jokester of a guy who loved to play all day.
“Everyone adored his electrifying smile that lit up the room when he walked in,” Kameenah said. “It was nothing for him to do anything silly around me, and I would buss out laughing,”
Even with such a big family, he made sure to talk to his siblings everyday no matter what. Sheffy was well mannered, respectable, with a gigantic heart. “He just wanted everyone to get along and win,” Kameenah said.
His giving spirit was shown in many ways, but especially as he cared for their ailing Pop-pop. He was so gentle as he took time each day to ensure Pop-pop received the best care. Besides conversing and watching TV with him, he made his meals and assisted him with all the living skills he could no longer do for himself.
“Pop-pop is heartbroken that Sheffy is no longer here with him,” Kameenah said.
His grandparents were actually one reason he picked up another passion—for plants. He would talk to them, rearrange them, repot them and water them in his caring manner.
“He had a green thumb that he learned from our grandparents at a young age, and continued on with this love for plants into adulthood,” she stated.
Jernara explained she misses him dearly. “He was a chill person that didn’t act out off of emotions. He thought about things before he spoke on them.”
One of his famous lines he would always say to her was, “You never know where your blessings are coming from.”
Jernara admired his love and devotion to the Islamic faith. “He was devoted to his beliefs. It was like it kept him grounded sound, and gave him a sense of direction he should always follow no matter what.”
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