8 people have been killed in homicides in Lansing in 2022. Here are their stories.
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This story was updated June 9 to add comments from Elijah Brooks' family and to amend the circumstances of Arthur Newcombe's death based on additional information from police.
LANSING — For the first time in several years, Lansing is not on pace to have another record year of homicides and shootings.
The city has seen eight homicides this year, three of which were of teenagers. At this point in 2021, Lansing had 14 homicides and the rest of Ingham County had four.
The death of Arthur Newcombe, 43, was originally considered to be a homicide but police said prosecutors determined the shooting was done in self defense. Prosecutors declined to charge a woman who originally was arrested for the shooting.
The people killed in homicides aren't just numbers; they're mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. These are their stories.
If you are a friend or family member of Dominique Hawn, Alan Jackson, Jr. or Julian Moore and would like to share stories, memories or photos of them, please contact reporter Kara Berg at kberg@lsj.com or 517-377-1113
2021 was a record year for homicides: Here are the stories of the 36 people who were killed in Lansing.
Dominique Hawn, found dead Jan. 8
Dominique Hawn, 28, was ambitious and outgoing. She enjoyed BMX racing and loved to show off her trophies, according to her obituary.
"It was always such a big accomplishment to her," according to her obituary. "She once said it was the time of her life. When the bike hit the dirt, she didn’t think about anything else. It was a way to clear her thoughts and escape from everyday life."
Her obituary described her as "fearless and kind" and "truly a blessing to have known."
Hawn's body was found Jan. 8 inside the home of Gregory Sanders in the 4900 block of Pleasant Grove Road after a standoff with police. Sanders is charged with murder in connection with Hawn's death.
Elijah Brooks, died Jan. 10
Elijah Brooks, 19, had a unique energy, a kind that was unmatchable, said his brother Cameron Sanchez. Energetic and funny, Brooks always had a smile on his face, even when he was going through hard times. He was a good friend to Sanchez, he said, and helped him get through a lot. He was a genuine person.
"I did appreciate him always lifting his head up, always trying to be strong," Sanchez said. "He'd always make jokes, try to be full of laughter, even at the hardest times."
Brooks' friend Victoria Barrera said he was a fun-loving and goofy person.
"He was always so happy and would always be joking around with you every chance he got," Barrera said. "He deserves justice for the crime that took him away. ... I just want his name to now have a face to it so everyone can know who Elijah was and for his memory to always live on."
Brooks died in a shooting Jan. 10 in the 700 block of North Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Davion Davis, 18, is charged with murder in connection with Brooks' death.
Allayah Walker-Travis, died Feb. 16
Allayah Walker-Travis, 17, was headstrong, beautiful, smart and funny, her mother, Cherish Travis, said. She surprised Travis for Valentine's Day with balloons, flowers and her favorite candy — chocolate turtles.
She was the second-oldest of seven siblings, all of whom she was close to. Her 8-year-old brother was especially important to Allayah, Travis said. He adored and looked up to her and has had a difficult time adjusting after her death.
Allayah loved to shop; Travis would call her "my black card baby" because she never seemed to see prices, she said. Allayah liked what she liked, her mom said, and was "a real life princess." She loved clothes, shoes, lanyards, Minnie Mouse and Sonic the Hedgehog.
"Ever since she was little, she captivated you in a way," Travis said. "She didn't even have to try. ... Her impression, her footprints are in all of our hearts, all of the time."
Allayah was killed Feb. 16 in the 3500 block of Wainwright Avenue. A 16-year-old boy is charged with murder as a juvenile in connection with her death.
Tomaz Shessia, died March 23
Tomaz Shessia, 20, had a goofy and outgoing personality and thrived when meeting new people, his friend Emilie Sharp said. She said he had an aura that drew people into his orbit.
“He came in (and) he would light up a whole room,” Sharp said. “People wanted to be nice to him. He had stories to tell. Even if it was just in the last week, he’d be like ‘Listen to this funny thing that happened.’”
Shessia, known by “Mazzy” to loved ones, loved music and making playlists, Sharp said. He also had a knack for developing quick bonds with friends’ pets when hanging out at their homes.
Shessia was shot and killed March 23 on South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Lansing. Two juveniles, ages 14 and 16, are charged with second-degree murder in connection with his death.
Daniel Cannarile, died April 8
Daniel Cannarile enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports, his brother, Thomas Starkweather, said. He was a "typical country boy," Starkweather said.
Cannarile's mother, Ellen Cannarile, said even as a child, Dan Cannarile loved tearing things apart. He eventually turned that into an interest in working on cars.
Ellen Cannarile said Dan Cannarile enjoyed traveling and meeting other people and would have made a good truck driver or salesman.
"We're still kind of in shock over the whole thing," Starkweather said. "We miss him, we love him, it's just a tragedy."
Dan Cannarile was unresponsive when police said they found him April 8 with a gunshot wound in the 3200 block of Washington Avenue. Johnny Estes has been charged with murder in connection with his death.
Alan Jackson, Jr. died April 14
Alan Jackson, Jr., 27, loved his family and was always protective of his siblings, according to his obituary. He loved his nieces and his "bonus" nieces and nephews and was supportive of his parents.
"Alan was a genuine, silly, goofy person who loved fiercely," according to his obituary. "He was at every family function no matter the occasion and was always glad to have his people around. He could always be counted on to be the entertainment. He was always the life of the party with his silliness and his jokes. He truly was one person that you could be so mad at and want to fight but you ended up laughing with him because he was going to do something silly to make you laugh."
Jackson always strived to be the best version of himself and made it clear to his loved ones that he was proud of them, according to his obituary.
Jackson was killed April 14 in the 2000 block of Beal Avenue. No one has been charged in connection with his death.
Julian Moore, found dead May 2
Julian Moore, 23, was found dead at about 7:30 p.m. May 2 near the railroad tracks in the 1200 block of South Clemens Avenue, police said. His family had reported him missing several days earlier.
Jameer Johnson is charged with murder in connection with Moore's death.
Kalen Mathews, died May 6
Kalen Mathews, 19, was always determined to do the right thing, his sister Jada Page said. For much of his life, his goal was to become a police officer. More recently, he planned to join the U.S. Air Force.
“We used to get so mad because he would (tattle) on everybody and everything,” Page said. “As a kid, you’re like, ‘Oh, you’re a tattletale.’ But he just took pride in doing the right things, and what’s wrong is wrong.”
Mathews enjoyed playing sports — mostly basketball, soccer, football and jumping on trampolines — and worked a variety of jobs. Recently, he moved in with his grandmother while she recovered from knee replacement surgery.
“He did everything,” Judy Page said. “Shoveling the driveway, mowing the lawn, even cleaning. Anything I needed, he was there for me. And sometimes, I wouldn’t have to tell him. He would just see something that needed to be done and do it.
Police said they found Mathews dead May 6 in the 900 block of Bensch Street in Lansing after someone called in a report that shots had been fired. Two 17-year-olds have been charged with murder as juveniles in connection with his death.
Contact reporter Kara Berg at 517-377-1113 or kberg@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @karaberg95.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: About the 8 people killed in Lansing homicides, shootings in 2022
