A Louisiana girl died last Friday after she was shot in the head while running to get her younger siblings to safety when gunfire erupted near their home.
Lee’Lani Brooks, 9, was playing outside her New Orleans home when two men started shooting at each other at around 2 p.m. on May 12.
The girl and her mother rushed to get the younger children to the home when a bullet struck Lee’Lani’s head. She was rushed to a hospital where she was declared brain dead.
Four days later, Lee’Lani’s family made the heartbreaking decision to take her off life support, and she was pronounced dead.
“My baby Lee’Lani was a sweet, vibrant, and fun 9-year-old child who loved and was loved by everyone around her,” the girl’s grieving mother said on the GoFundMe page.
“She was a leader and ensured all her younger family members were protected. Her smile is unforgettable, and her personality was infectious.”
Police arrested 19-year-old Evan Rogers on May 13 after a four-hour standoff outside a hotel. A second suspect was also arrested in connection with the incident.
