
An inexplicable confusion filled the gaze of young Trey’shawn Eunes when he received a custom-made shirt with the words ‘Brooklyn’s Uncle’ imprinted. He was only eleven, and the concept of becoming an uncle to his elder brother’s expectant child puzzled him. However, his mother’s beaming affirmation, “You are Brooklyn’s Uncle,” was met with sparkling eyes and a broad smile that engulfed his little face, marking the boyhood bloom into an uncle.
Twelve months later, another shirt, this one celebrating his niece’s first birthday, had been crafted for Trey. Yet, he would never get the privilege to wear it. Instead, it found its place with him in his casket, following his untimely death resulting from an accidental gunshot.
Tragedy rocked the small gathering in Fort Worth, Texas, where a 3-year-old found a handgun and inadvertently discharged it, hitting Trey while he was engrossed in a video game, as per the arrest warrant for a man accused of tampering with evidence post-tragedy.
Trey’s premature demise at age 12 was not an isolated case but one of 1,300 and counting children and teens tragically killed by gun violence in 2023 alone, the Gun Violence Archive reveals. Firearms now surpass motor vehicles as the leading cause of death for young individuals in America – a sombre testament to the escalating gun violence epidemic tormenting the nation.
With each dawn’s arrival, Lakesha Bay, Trey’s mother, faces the intimate torment of her son’s absence. “He doesn’t just pass away one time. He passes away every day,” she shares, her voice heavy with grief.
Trey’shawn was the heart of their family. Fond memories abound of debates over who would get to carry him or sit next to him during car rides. Beyond his immediate family, his charismatic persona drew others towards him. A natural athlete, his prowess was evident on the football field and in the thrilling virtual matches of Madden NFL on his PlayStation 4.
Trey’shawn had dreams – he pondered about his future profession, wanted to impress people, especially his parents. He was excited about his transition to middle school that his mom once attended and looked forward to trying out for their football team. However, these dreams were cut short, leaving a family in mourning and a community in shock.
Tradgedy struck, and his sixth-grade graduation was his last milestone, unintentionally coinciding with his dream of graduating from his mother’s alma mater – Martin High School. His memory, his dreams, and his accomplishments will forever be imprinted on his loved ones’ hearts, just like the first shirt that made him realize he was an uncle – a young boy who had so much more life to live.