Kennedy Schmitz, a brave bystander, shared her experience of stepping in to administer emergency medical aid to Colin Brown before EMS arrived at the scene last weekend. Colin, a 16-year-old CBC High School student, tragically passed away four days after being critically injured by a stray bullet on Interstate 55 on Nov. 23. Kennedy was downtown celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday on a party bus when she heard Calvin Brown, Colin’s father, screaming for help.
Without hesitation, Kennedy and her friend, who is a trained EMT, immediately took action to help Colin. She managed to resuscitate him while her friend and another bystander performed CPR, giving the teen a fighting chance before EMS arrived. Kennedy expressed her frustration with what she perceived as a lack of urgency from the first responders when they finally reached the scene, stating that nobody seemed to be in a rush to help save Colin’s life.
Calvin Brown found solace in the fact that Colin’s organs were donated, potentially saving the lives of four other individuals. Despite the devastating outcome, Kennedy remains proud of her efforts to assist in giving the family some comfort during this heartbreaking time. She emphasized that Colin’s family did not deserve to go through such a senseless act of violence and vowed to honor his memory.
In response to the tragedy, a local man has offered a $10,000 reward, and two organizations are offering an additional $5,000 reward for any information that could help authorities arrest the person responsible for shooting Colin Brown. Tips can be anonymously submitted to CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
The heartbreaking story of Colin Brown’s passing serves as a reminder of the importance of swift and efficient emergency response in critical situations. It also highlights the selfless actions of individuals like Kennedy Schmitz, who put their own safety at risk to help those in need. The community’s support and efforts to seek justice for Colin demonstrate the unity and resilience of the people in times of tragedy.
