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Breaunna Aniece Brown

Age 16

Fayetteville, North Carolina

A girl who loved to dance

A sophomore at Westover High School, she loved to dance and loved her friends.

She was in her room in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with her 21-year-old boyfriend. He had told her and her mom that he was 17. He was playing with a gun.

On Oct. 10, 2018, Breaunna Aniece Brown, 16, was shot in the face and killed by her boyfriend. He claimed it was accidental and was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter. Her mother wanted murder charges. Two days after Breaunna died, her mother had not returned to their home. “I couldn’t do it,” she said.

By Maya Millner · Age 15
Meet the Reporters

More than 40 dancers

Darius Marcel Boone

An infectious laugh silenced by violence

Michael D. Bardlett

To know Michael. To love Michael.

Cara Marie Loughran

Dancing in our hearts for eternity

Alexa Denice Montez

Her father’s “greatest gift,” he said

Jaime Taylor Guttenberg

Independent, fearless, bright; a graceful dancer

Des'mon Reyshard Anderson

His baby lost her loving dad

Eliza Kristine Orellana

She was a singer, dancer and friend

Arthur Roger Holloway III

His obituary ran in two states

Doumba Sannoh

Fatal price for the American dream

Christopher Williams

Web design intern, brother of six

Taylor Hayes

A star on her karaoke machine

Kelvin Ramone Creech

Engaged. Ready for fatherhood. Taken away.

Xzariah Denecca Rice

Her father died in her arms

Trinity Renee-Jordan Wiggins

Her uncle’s house, pockmarked with bullets

Orlando Myron Anderson Jr.

He was so full of life

Justise Armoni Ledena Allen

She did not even look hurt

Eugene Ryder Stamey

Innocent game turned to foul play

Tylon DaJaun Batey

So much family left to grieve

Alisia JaNell Williams

She made her dolls happy, too

Yaleah Hall

Sister, daughter, dancer, since day one