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Yosha Hamilton, the mother of 16-year-old Shane Hamilton, who was shot and killed outside of his family’s apartment in January, poses for a portrait with 3 of Shane’s brothers, Lionel Hamilton, 18, Markaven Washington, 15, and Sebashton Bryant, 10, in Baytown, Texas, U.S., on Saturday, August 19, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.
Guns in Texas

“It’s hell”: Surge of Texas kids dying from gun violence carves canyons of grief through families

In 2012, around 100 Texans under 18 died of gunshot wounds. Last year, that number reached nearly 300.


Markaven Washington, 15, Sebashton Bryant, 10, and Lionel Hamilton, 18, the brothers of 16-year-old Shane Hamilton, who was shot and killed in January, sit on a bench in Baytown, Texas, U.S., on Saturday, August 19, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.
Yosha Hamilton, the mother of 16-year-old Shane Hamilton, who was shot and killed outside of his family’s apartment in January, poses for a portrait in Baytown, Texas, U.S., on Saturday, August 19, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.
Shane Hamilton is seen with a basketball and his finger pointing at the camera.
Lionel Hamilton, 18, whose 16-year-old brother Shane Hamilton was shot and killed in January, walks through his family’s apartment in Baytown, Texas, U.S., on Saturday, August 19, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.
De'Evan McFall wearing his football uniform.
Sherri Johnson, the mother and biological grandmother of Bri'Jean Swain, a 17-year-old who was shot and killed in April, poses for a portrait in Bri’Jean’s bedroom in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Monday, August 14, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.
Bri'Jean Swain was shot and killed in April 2023.
Sherri Johnson, the mother and biological grandmother of Bri'Jean Swain, a 17-year-old who was shot and killed in April, holds a shirt she made in honor of Bri’Jean at her home in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Monday, August 14, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.
Sherri Johnson, the mother and biological grandmother of Bri'Jean Swain, a 17-year-old who was shot and killed in April, touches a magnet holding a photograph of Bri’Jean at the home they shared in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Monday, August 14, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.
Marvin Porter, 22, whose family member Shane Hamilton was shot and killed in January poses for a portrait wearing a necklace featuring Shane in Baytown, Texas, U.S., on Saturday, August 19, 2023. In 2022, young people, defined as those younger than 25, accounted for 26 percent of firearm deaths across the state.

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