“People are trying to hold on to the good memories, but there are so many,” his aunt, Jessica Hair, said. “He was adored. I think of love when I think about Jay. His grin. His belly chuckled. I would give anything to have just one more chance to tell him I loved him and was proud of him. If only we had more time.”

“He was still a youngster. He was excellent. He came in like a breath of fresh air “a sobbing Hair recalled of her nephew, adding that the day before prom, his only preoccupation was determining what to dress.

“People are trying to hang on to the wonderful memories, but it’s just a lot,” his aunt, Jessica Hair, said. “He was very adored. When I think of Jay, I think of love. His grin Is laughing. I would give anything to have one more chance to tell him I loved him and was proud of him. We just needed more time.”

“He was a youngster. He was quite good. He was a breath of fresh air “a sobbing Hair recalled of her nephew, adding that his only concern the day before prom was determining what to wear.

“It’s not uncommon to attend a party after prom,” Hair explained. “We accomplished it all together… There are several tales circulating, as well as much conjecture.”

Brunson’s family is “devastated,” going through “moments of sadness,” wondering what they might “have done better,” and hoping for answers soon as they relive the 17-year-death old’s every day since May 13.

“I realize that they really need someone in the community to speak forward,” Hair said of the BPD’s probe into the incident. “I’m afraid this will simply be another one of those things that never gets resolved.”
Hair established a GoFundMe page named “Justice for Jay” to assist with her nephew’s burial expenses.

As of Tuesday, the Baltimore Police Department had documented 125 killings this year, a 9% increase above the 115 homicides registered during the same time period the previous year.

In addition, there has been a 9% increase in gun-related events year over year, with 364 registered this year as of Tuesday, compared to 329 at the same time last year. Robbery incidences have grown by 28% year on year, while total crime has increased by 9% from the same time period in 2021.