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Trae'Nez L. Brown Jr.

Age 15

Cahokia, Illinois

Excited about Independence Day. Never came.

Every Fourth of July, he looked forward to barbecuing and popping fireworks with his family. He loved his family, especially his mom, and his sister, who called him her best friend.

He promised them that the day he turned 16, he would get a job to help support them. He also played football and was loved by his coaches and teammates. “When he put his mind to something, he does it,” his mother said.

On July 2, 2018, Trae’Nez L. Brown Jr. was shot and killed on Westwood Drive in Cahokia, Illinois. He was 15 years old. 

By Kathryn King · Age 16
Meet the Reporters

More than 300 athletes

Kendrick D. Davis

Not quite clear on his dreams

Avi Liam Franco

He loved to learn and explore

Elisha Amon Cole

Dreaming big, working on his portfolio

Ricky Lamar Green Jr.

His children never saw him box

Jontae Billups-Brooks

An athlete and a music lover

Ra’Quan Darius Jones

Didn’t get to see his GED

Brandon Nathan Tyson

Friday night lights end in tragedy

Ta Quan Pinkney

Bright future; gone too soon

Taveon Donte' Brooks

Basketball point guard, would-be rapper

Lorenzo Moore-Vaughn

About to start his senior year

Sharon Castro

She always helped those who struggled

Jayden Fondeur

His older brother found him first

Orlando Myron Anderson Jr.

He was so full of life

James Alexzander Shorter

He’ll never taste grandma’s cookies again

Ray Glasgow III

Bench wears jersey instead of captain

Jovontia Antonio Jones

A runner grieved by seven siblings

Jeremiah Ascencio

Last moments spent cradling his brother

Natwan Kian Holyfield

Supposed to go to homecoming, prom

Zyhame Kila Jones

An artist, basketball player and car-lover

Vicente Valero III

He was a modern Renaissance man