By WMBD News and Blake Haas
BLOOMINGTON – Friends and family of a Twin Cities homicide victim are doing what they can to honor his memory.
On Tuesday, Quantez Brown, 24, was stabbed to death. On Wednesday night his friends and family celebrated his life by hosting a vigil at 408 N. Roosevelt Ave. where he was stabbed. Many emotions were on display, but family members say they will remember him for who he was and what he did.
“The laughter, him making us laugh all day long,” said Amber Pittman, cousin of Brown. “He was very nice and kind, he opened up his arms, his home and his heart to everyone in need.”
Some of the many words used to describe Quantez, who they called Bambino. Even though they were celebrating his life, some said it’s hard for some to wrap their heads around what happened.
“We are all just hurt,” said Tamra Jones, Brown’s fiancee. “She didn’t have to do that, we are just like hurt.”
The woman Jones is referring to is Leila Jackson. Jackson, 22, of Bloomington was arrested on Tuesday and was charged with four counts of first degree murder in a court hearing on Wednesday. Jackson’s bond was set at $2 million. She needs $200,000 to be released.
Pittman says she is grateful her family and friends came to support each other, but she believes there is more that can be done.
“We shouldn’t have to keep burying kids,” Pittman said. “Everyone needs to come together as a community and act as one, period.”
Jackson is due back in court on July 27 at 10 a.m.
Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].
