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Makayla Brooks

Age 17

Raytown, Missouri

A caring heart and "infectious laugh"

Her friends and family remember her as “a beautiful, carefree girl, a little sassy, very bright, with an infectious laugh and ready smile.”

She was outgoing and energetic. She treasured her friendships and her family, including the sister, parents and grandparents she left behind. She lovingly took care of everyone around her. She loved children and animals, and they loved her in return.  

Makayla “Mack” Brooks, 17, was shot and killed at her home in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 5, 2018. It was three months before her 18th birthday.

By Sophia McDermott-Hughes · Age 18
Meet the Reporters

More than 300 siblings

Rashiya Melton

Joins brother, leaves behind her twin

Ty'Dre Shyheim Hailey

She didn’t know it was real

Shondricka J'Nay Adams

Celebrating one night, gone the next

Raydale Hill

Can no longer create his music

Rashaad Izil Wisher

One brother buried. Then another one.

Jeremiah Ascencio

Last moments spent cradling his brother

Peyton Nicole Hurt

Still helping others, even in death

Kameron Johnson

He dreamed of college and cars

Caydence Nicole Painter

Reading, dancing, playing. Siblings shot together.

Ryan Amadeo Dela Cruz

Gone, two weeks shy of graduation

Izabella Marie Helem

Brother shoots his sister by accident

Elisha Amon Cole

Dreaming big, working on his portfolio

Ramand Kassadine Davis

Happy in his SpongeBob SquarePants jammies

Yaleah Hall

Sister, daughter, dancer, since day one

Jontae Billups-Brooks

An athlete and a music lover

Lia Lin Collier

A light, “unrelenting joy” extinguished

Lorenzo Moore-Vaughn

About to start his senior year

Jaquincy Jawan Ross

Wanted to buy her a scooter

Jayden Fondeur

His older brother found him first

Elijah Foster

Dope Boy Gang. One less member.