What Did Jashawn Kazo Do for his Mom?

“He was just rationally selfish,” Detective Kalina Crews explained. “He looked out for all his values,” she told the Daily Delaware when they asked about Jashawn Kazo. In the hours between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. the high school graduate who excelled on his basketball team was struck down by over seventy rounds.

Crews had just been promoted to detective after serving as a uniformed cop for eleven years in Dover, Delaware. She remembered well the trauma her first case inflicted on the victim’s family.

“He was very popular,” she related his mother’s comments. “Jashawn had made reservations for a spa day for his mother and her girlfriends from the money he saved while working at a barber shop. He was the kind of kid who just did nice things for people he loved.”

The basketball team had a secular vigil for their fallen teammate. Crews remembered how they all did their best to keep their composure.

“It was really tough. The news just kind of knocked the wind out of them. He was going to go play basketball for New Sweden University. Just a few weeks after graduation, his mother had to make funeral arrangements.”

Jashawn Kazo’s girlfriend was pregnant with a boy. “She said she’s going to name her son Jashawn once he’s born.”

The detective was still busy interviewing witnesses and anyone who might have more information that could lead to suspects in the shooting.

“We haven’t been getting much traction, but a few people are starting to snitch. We appreciate that, and we’re offering immunity to those who come forward and anonymity to those who have information,” the detective said.

Detective Crews’ petite frame belied her tenacious nature and her drive to nab the killer(s) who stole Jashawn Kazo’s life.

“I’m focused on this case because bad things shouldn’t happen to good people. It’s cliché, I know, but it’s just the truth. He was a good kid trying to do the right thing. For his mother, girlfriend, and the rest of his family and team to grieve, it just shouldn’t be.”

Jashawn Kazo played basketball assertively. He knew how to read the defense and controlled the offense as a point guard. Crews spoke to the team as well.

“They said he always passed the ball. He never hogged the ball; he knew if he didn’t have a clear shot, but his teammate did, he should pass the ball, and he always did. That’s ‘rational’ selfishness, not selflessness. He wanted to win, he wanted his friends to enjoy victory too, so he did what was necessary.

“He knew how to run the plays like a professional. They told me he always looked out for his teammates off the court as well. He had earned enough, between the barber shop, cutting grass and running errands for local seniors, he was able to buy his teammates new sneakers when they needed a pair, or a bite to eat if they were hungry. He was just that kind of guy.”

Crews continued her story; everything went back to Jashawn Kazo. “At the moment we have to push for more community involvement. Jashawn’s life was worth more than he got. No family should have to grieve like that. Jashawn will be remembered for his self confidence and how great he was as a person. That’s my job. I have to find the monsters who did this, and put them away for a long time. The number of rounds was overkill, and that almost always means the attack was personal, the way an enemy would behave. Jashawn’s record doesn’t fit that description. He was a star athlete, headed to college, and just wanted to do right by the people he loved. I’m like a dog with a bone; I’m going to chew on this to the gristle.”

With that, Crews smiled. Whenever she made remarks like that aloud, it fueled her resolve. She knew she was going to succeed at bringing in whoever did this injustice.