Outpouring Of Community Support At NLB's New City Church Carwash To Help Family Of WLB Murder Victim Keshawn Brooks (Age 15, Cabrillo High Student).

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Outpouring Of Community Support At NLB's New City Church Carwash To Help Family Of WLB Murder Victim Keshawn Brooks (Age 15, Cabrillo High Student)

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(March 21, 2015) -- On Saturday Mar. 21, a fundraising carwash drew a steady stream of vehicles to NLB's New City Church (South St. east of Orange Ave.) in an outpouring of community support following the loss of Keshawn Brooks, age 15, a Cabrillo High student fatally stabbed while walking home along Santa Fe Ave.

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At midafternoon, we saw several cars lined up. A volunteer said cars were in line by 7 a.m. (an hour before scheduled start time.)

Among those taking part in the event was Keshawn's father, Keeyon Layton, who spoke eloquently at an LBPD news conference (Mar. 12) just hours after learning that his son did not survive.

A little over a week later, we watched as Mr. Layton joined community members in helping raise funds to cover his son's funeral expenses.

Mr. Layton spoke with us. We expressed our condolences and mentioned that we'd urged the City Council [multiple editorials] to restore LBPD's field anti-gang unit, which it voted to eliminate as part of September 2014 budget actions. Mr. Layton paused for a moment, then replied [rough paraphrase, we weren't recording or taking notes] that he'd like to see more than just police. He indicated that he hopes the community will come together and join in an effort to geuinely improve conditions and make things better than they are now.

Mr. Layton also indicated there may be an opportunity to convey this message in the coming days...and we promised to report that when it's confirmed.

A volunteer (who said he made sure to stop by and assist after a VA appointment earlier that morning) circulated this jar.

LBPD announced within hours of Keshawn's death that it had arrested a suspect, whom the District Attorney's office has since charged with murder, alleging it was committed during a robbery and in association with a criminal street gang.