'Hero' 9-Year-Old Girl Killed While Trying to Get Younger Siblings to Safety amid Gunfire

Louisiana authorities say a 9-year-old girl was shot and killed while rushing her younger siblings to safety as gunfire erupted near her house on May 12. 

Lee’Lani Brooks, 9, was playing outside her home in New Orleans just before 2 p.m. when men nearby began shooting at each other, NOLA, WWL-TV and Fox 8 reported, citing police.

Lee’Lani and her mother ran inside their home, but a stray bullet traveled through a window and hit Lee’Lani in the head as she ran to get her younger siblings to safety, the local outlets reported, citing authorities.

She was then rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was placed on life support and declared brain dead, NOLA reported. On May 16, her family made the decision to take her off life support and she died soon after. 

New Orleans Police arrested 19-year-old Evan Rogers, who as of May 13 faced one count of attempted second-degree murder and one count of illegal use of weapons, the New Orleans Police Department said in a statement on that date.  

It took a four-hour stand-off for U.S. Marshals to apprehend Rogers while he was allegedly hiding out in a hotel, New Orleans police said in the statement. Police have also arrested a second person but did not release that person’s name or what charges they face.

Lee’Lani’s family members have set up a GoFundMe to cover her funeral costs.

“My baby Lee’lani was a sweet, vibrant, and fun 9-year-old child who loved and was loved by everyone around her,” Lee’Lani’s mother, Letisha Johnson wrote in the post. “She was a leader and ensured all her younger family members were protected. Her smile is unforgettable, and her personality was infectious.”

On May 20, Lee’Lani’s family held a balloon release for the 9-year-old. Johnson was devastated about her daughter’s death and told Fox 8 that their family was still processing their grief.

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“I just want everyone to remember my baby for who she was,” Johnson said, adding that Lee’Lani loved doing her makeup, doing her nails, dancing, and was admired by her family members and friends. 

“That’s what we want the world to remember her as, a hero, someone who was so selfless at 9 years old,” Mike Willis, a community activist, told the outlet.