It’s a heartbreaking reality that Jeanette Brown faced when her son, who had sickle cell disease, fell victim to the senseless gun violence that plagued Kansas City over Labor Day weekend. Despite her best efforts to shield him from harm, she was unable to prevent the tragic outcome.
On September 2, a man called her son’s girlfriend’s phone and stated her son, 28-year-old Leroy ‘L.J.’ Purkett, had been shot in the 300 block of Drury Avenue. He was taken to the hospital but died soon after.
As Brown listened to Purkett’s girlfriend’s cries in the background, she found herself unable to fully comprehend the news being shared. The sound of the sobs added to the weight of the situation, making it all the more difficult to process.
Around three years ago, Purkett relocated to Kansas City with his girlfriend. His family remains in North Carolina and have been unable to lay eyes on his body since his passing, which has only added to their shock and disbelief.
Brown expressed her disbelief about the loss of her loved one by saying, “I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that he’s no longer with us. It feels like he’s still here with me, and I haven’t fully come to terms with the reality of his passing.” She prefers not to discuss this topic as it makes the loss even more real to her.
The shooting
According to the Kansas City Police Department, investigators suspect that a verbal altercation may have been the trigger for the shooting incident. However, as of now, no individuals have been identified as suspects and taken into custody.
Upon learning that Purkett was involved in a violent altercation, Brown and Purkett’s brother Jaquan James were taken aback. According to them, he was never one to seek out confrontation and was generally a reserved individual.
According to James, Purkett’s girlfriend provided inconsistent accounts of the events that resulted in the shooting.
According to recent reports, Purkett’s girlfriend shared with Brown that their neighbor had accused them of taking a dog they had found under their car. Although the couple returned the dog, the man continued to harass them and even threatened them, prompting them to call the authorities for help.
The family members are in a state of confusion and uncertainty regarding the matter. They are unsure about what to believe.
According to James, a few weeks ago, Purkett’s girlfriend had called his family to inform them that he had overdosed on muscle relaxers. In a state of panic, his family called every hospital in the Kansas City area to find out more about his condition. However, Purkett later called them back to let them know that he had returned from the hospital after experiencing a sickle cell crisis. He had taken medication and eventually fallen asleep.
James expressed his thoughts, questioning why the girl was spreading news of his supposed death without confirming it. He believed that one should not make such statements until they are certain of their validity.
A GoFundMe page was set up by the family to gather funds for the return of Purkett’s body to North Carolina and hold a proper funeral. The expenses for transportation, funeral, and burial will cost a considerable amount of money which the family cannot afford at the moment.
The Challenge of Accepting a Difficult Truth
Growing up, Purkett’s sickle cell disease was a constant concern for Brown, his mother. She worried about his well-being and safety as he navigated the challenges that came with the condition from a very young age.
He mostly stayed indoors and indulged in playing video games. Brown allowed him to play with others occasionally but made sure to prevent him from engaging in rough games and sports that could potentially harm him.
Purkett would often go through sickle cell crises, which resulted in a blockage of blood flow to a specific part of his body. These crises would cause him immense pain that could last for hours or even days. When Purkett experienced these crises, he would feel aches all over his body and would be unable to move.
As Purkett aged, his health issues appeared to become more severe. He would frequently fall sick and remain hospitalized for extended periods. Due to his medical treatment, Purkett found it challenging to retain a job since he would have to take extended leaves of absence.
According to James, life has been very unjust to him and this recent event has only made matters worse. He finds it difficult to come to terms with the situation, calling it a bitter pill to swallow.
According to James, he had to leave his dream of designing video games behind when he fell ill and had to drop out of Elizabeth City State University. His sickness caused him to miss too many school days while he was in the hospital, which ultimately led to his departure from the university.
Later on, he relocated to Greenville, North Carolina to be closer to James and his family. They warmly welcomed him into their home, inviting him over for dinners and providing him with comfort during a challenging period in his life.
According to Brown, Purkett was content with his job at Amazon when he relocated to Kansas City. He frequently kept in touch with his mother, speaking to her every other week.
Approximately a year later, Purkett sustained a hip injury while attempting to flee from a dog that pursued him during a delivery.
He was unable to work for years due to his injury.
During a time when Purkett and his girlfriend were struggling financially, Brown generously provided them with financial assistance. Despite her encouragement to apply for disability benefits, Purkett was determined to continue working.
In February of this year, he underwent hip replacement surgery and it seemed to have taken a toll on his emotional state as he was unable to resume his regular job.
According to Brown, his employers at Amazon initially gave him the option to work three days a week upon his return. However, he later discovered that they had revised his schedule to only include one day per week.
According to James, Purkett’s girlfriend frequently expressed her frustration regarding their financial responsibilities. Despite the family’s attempts to persuade him to return home and alleviate the burden, Purkett remained steadfast in his refusal.
‘All I’m really asking for
James and his family are eagerly awaiting the day when the perpetrator responsible for Purkett’s death is brought to justice.
Throughout her life, Brown’s mother has had to bear the weight of several devastating losses. She has had to cope with the sudden and tragic death of her own mother, the loss of her youngest son in a house fire, and now, the unimaginable trauma of losing her son to gun violence. Despite the overwhelming pain and grief, Brown’s mother has shown immense strength and resilience in the face of such adversity.
According to him, his mother deserves answers, if nothing else.
James expressed his belief that the woman in question deserves some form of justification for her actions. He emphasized that this is all he is asking for.
According to data collected by The Star, the recent tragic event marks the 137th homicide in Kansas City this year. This incident was one of four killings that occurred over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
If you have any information regarding the case, please contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477, as requested by the police.
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