Michael Ray Brooks Jr. was 19 and from Waco, Texas when he was fatally shot on May 19, 2020, on Lasker Avenue. The shooting followed an argument among a group of girls that escalated after Brooks intervened; he was shot in front of his girlfriend’s door.

Witness statements conflict: Harlan said he went to confront people who had assaulted a relative, brought a rifle for protection, and that Brooks shot at him first so he returned fire. Brooks’ family and other witnesses dispute that version. Brooks’ father, on the phone with his son during the incident, said he heard his son urging the shooter to put the gun down before shots were heard.

Harlan was arrested the next morning and charged with manslaughter, then released on a $50,000 bond; Brooks’ family expressed frustration at the charge and the release.

If anyone witnessed the altercation on Lasker Avenue or has information about what happened that night, please share what you know with the investigation.