Curtis T. Hairston Jr.
Age 18
Decatur, Illinois
A little brother immortalized in ink
When they were younger, he often took pictures with his big sister. In one photo, they’re dressed as Teletubbies, smiling widely for the camera. Another photo shows them holding a basketball and wearing caps too big for their heads. Another shows them sitting on a couch with a baby — a cousin, or a new sister, perhaps — sitting between them.
Years later, his big sister is pictured with him again, this time with his face tattooed on her leg. “Love you lil bro. keep watching ova me,” she wrote.
On January 4, 2019, Curtis T. Hairston Jr., 18, was shot multiple times in Decatur, Illinois, during what police say was a botched gun swap. Following his death, local leaders rallied to end to gun violence in their community.
