By: Taylor Cunningham
Early Sunday morning, October 1st, around 2 a.m., there was a shooting on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, Kansas. The shooting took place outside of a bar, shortly after a fist fight, killing 3 and injuring two others. None of the victims attended the University of Kansas, located in Lawrence.
Among those killed were Leah Brown of Shawnee, Kansas, Colwin Henderson of Topeka, Kansas, and Tre’Mel Dean, also of Topeka. Two others were flown to hospitals by helicopter to be treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.
One McPherson student, Daija Isley, knew one of the victims, Colwin Henderson. Isley and Henderson were good friends, even though they went to different high schools. However, Colwin ended up graduating from the same school as Daija, Shawnee Heights High School. “He was very cool, really nice. He was very protective, if anyone was to hurt anyone he felt was family or adored, he would be there for them,” Daija described him. Henderson played football, basketball, and also ran track in high school. He grew up mainly around his four cousins and his uncle. About 10 months ago, Henderson and his current girlfriend, Destiny Jackson, had a baby girl. “She’s a beautiful baby, her name is Rosalia Henderson-Jackson,” Isley said. Isley also said that Colwin was working hard to give his daughter that best life she could. Daija shared a few memories about Colwin. “My favorite memory of him was his laugh. It was one of those things you would hear and laugh with it; he had a contagious laugh. I also like how protected and safe I always felt with him. He was also very serious about his family, he would do anything for them.”
Also going on late Saturday night and early Sunday morning was a popular KU event, Late Night at the Phog at Allen Fieldhouse. Many people who attended Late Night took to Mass Street after the event in bars and restaurants. There was also a concert at the Granada Theater, also on Mass Street.
The Lawrence Police Department has not yet identified a suspect in the case, and the search is still ongoing. They are asking for the help of witnesses to fight to come forward with any possible information, including photo and video evidence that may lead to a possible suspect.
