Chicago is mourning the tragic loss of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, who valiantly attempted to protect his mother during a domestic violence incident and sadly lost his life. The devastating incident has left the community deeply saddened and grieving.
Police say that on March 13, Crosetti Brand broke into their home and stabbed both Perkins and his mother. This happened even though Perkins’ mother has an order of protection against Brand. The attack seriously injured Laterria Smith, the boy’s mother. A family fundraiser honored her. While this happened, her 5-year-old son was also in the house.
Brand was out on parole while still serving a 16-year sentence for breaking into a house. He has broken three orders of protection, according to the cops.
Brand faces charges related to the incident, including murder, attempted murder, home attack with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, domestic battery, and other offenses.
“A brutal attack claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy.” In a home attack, a woman suffered brutal stabbing injuries. What’s wrong with this family?” At a news conference, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said this: “Let’s focus on the victims.”
“Far too soon, an innocent child died trying to protect his mother, and a mother was attacked in her home, which should have been the safest place for her,” said Kimberly M. Foxx, the state attorney for Cook County.
Peirce Elementary School and Perkins’ dance school, Gus Giordano Dance School, organized a fundraiser and described him as “an exceptional young man, respected by his peers and admired by his teachers.”
The post says the boy was known for his love of dance and acting. He had lead roles in several school plays.
Gus Giordano Dance School tweeted images of Perkins dancing and said he “brought joy, happiness, and light to everyone.”
According to Perkins, he liked “hanging out with friends, playing sports, and putting on shows.” “His big smile and kind heart made everyone he met feel better,” the fundraiser post said. The family lit vines at their apartment building to honor him.
Smith reportedly “had a lasting effect on the lives of students, supporting them in their daily activities and making them feel like they belonged” while working at Perkin’s school.
The event has shown how to better handle cases of domestic abuse in the city. Police say Brand had a habit of hitting his partners.
The narrator said, “We have to protect these victims.” “We cannot wait until the tragedy happens to decide we’re going to do something about it.”
During a press conference on Friday, Alderperson Andre Vasquez said that he and other officials need to determine “what more can be done to support victims and survivors of domestic violence.”
“This is something that we know: if we don’t get ahead of domestic violence issues everywhere, there may be other cases,” he said.
According to Foxx, the crime “shook our city to its core.”
