Who was Dajaun Brown? 'Selfless' 15-year-old was killed in Philadelphia mass shooting while trying to help his wounded friend
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: A 15-year-old was trying to rescue his heavily wounded friend when he was fatally shot in the Philadelphia mass shooting. The rampage unfolded at around 8.30 pm on Monday, June 3 when the 40-year-old accused shooter, identified as Kimbrady Carriker, opened fire in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Carriker was arrested shortly after the incident when police managed to chase him down in the rear alley of 1600 Frazier Street. He was found in possession of a bulletproof vest, an AR-15-style rifle, a police scanner, and a handgun. Philadelphia Police Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom said the suspect shot “aimlessly at occupied vehicles and individuals on the street as they walked.” Carriker’s rampage reportedly resulted in the deaths of five individuals, identified as 20-year-old Lashyd Merritt, 29-year-old Dymir Stanton, 59-year-old Ralph Moralis, 15-year-old boy Daujan Brown and 31-year-old Joseph Wamah, Jr. Two children – aged two and 13 – were also shot but are in stable condition.
Who was Dajaun Brown?
Authorities have identified 15-year-old Brown as the youngest victim killed in the shooting. His mother, Nashaya Thomas, told NBC Philadelphia that he came under fire while walking to a supermarket on Monday night. She also claimed that Daujan was shot while attempting to rescue his 13-year-old heavily wounded friend, who was shot twice in the legs but managed to survive. “He was just trying to get his friend help not knowing that bullets don’t have no name," she told the station. Thomas described her son as a loveable child who never hesitated to help others.
Mass shooting in Philadelphia. Suspect, wearing bulletproof vest and armed with assault style rifle and handgun, kills five people, injures two children. pic.twitter.com/LigUc9egru
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) July 4, 2023
"There was no way you could meet Daujan, have a conversation with him, and not fall in love with him," she said, adding, "He lost his life trying to do a selfless act, and that’s how he was when he was here.” Brown was staying at his grandmother's house in the southwest section of the city, according to the New York Times. "You were sad around him, he wasn't letting you be sad. My baby was only 15 years old and I just won't get to see my son anymore,” Thomas continued. Meanwhile, Nikki Merritt, a close family member of 22-year-old Merritt said he was gunned down steps from his door after he went out to get food.
'He was always supportive'
"He was just going to the store to get his dinner for the night," she said, adding, "He lived three or four doors down from where he was found. He grew up here." Lashyd attended Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia before he decided on a full-time job. Nikki revealed that he was recently hired by the IRS as a service representative. "He was just an overall good guy. He was always supportive and helpful to anybody. Family, friends. Anyone. If he thought he could help, he would,” she said. Meritt's brother, Dominque Evans, also expressed shock over his death, saying, "[Meritt] just walked out of the house, I guess [the shooter] was right there and shot him twice. It's just sad, this is stuff you see on TV, not real life, that's why I'm so shocked."