Devin Brooks recounted playing Def Jam: Fight for New York on a Nintendo GameCube with his younger brother, Jaz D’ Oray Brooks . It was the early 2000s when they were both kids.
“That was our game. We had so many jokes, memes, favorite rappers and players,” Brooks said. “It was non-stop competition back and forth, and I’ll never forget that.”
Def Jam was a series of fighting video games that featured prominent rap artists such as Lil’ Kim, Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Fat Joe, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Flavor Flav -- artists the Brooks brothers grew up listening to.
Now, Devin Brooks’ phone is overflowing with calls from friends and loved ones after 28-year-old Jaz was killed in a hit-and-run crash on June 23 in west Wichita.
“It’s phenomenal, it’s amazing,” Brooks said of the kind words about his brother. “I just wish he could’ve seen it while he was here. It’s sad that people get their roses and condolences only when they’re gone.”
Court records show Peyton Allart, 19, was charged Friday with failure to stop at an accident; reasonably known result in death, a felony and possession of alcohol by a minor and transporting an open container, both misdemeanors.
Jaz Brooks wanted to be a family man
Devin Brooks last saw his brother on Memorial Day at a picnic with their family. The two brothers lived in different cities but talked online often. Devin Brooks shared that his brother was a hard-working, caring spirit and was vocal about his intentions to start a family.
“His main love was for his nieces and nephews to the full because he really wanted to start a family and have a son that he was going to name Jaysean,” Devin Brooks said. “That was I’d say his ultimate goal in life.”
He added: It just destroys me, so if I have one (son) I gotta carry on at least his legacy.”
Davion Boose humorously recounted his friendship with Jaz. The duo met at a house party, had been friends for several years and later discovered they lived in the same apartment complex.
Even though living in different cities, Boose said Jaz was known to check in often and spoke about his friend wanting a family.
Boose last spoke with Jaz about three weeks before he was killed..
“He wanted to raise a family one day and see what that kind of lifestyle was like because we were used to going out to bars, clubs and all that kind of stuff,” Boose said.
‘Once in a lifetime type of friendship’
Out of all the memories, Boose recalled getting stranded with Jaz after his car broke down at an IHOP one night in Kansas City, Missouri. It was 11:35 p.m. and the store they were trying to get to closed at midnight. Boose had just gotten his car back from the repair shop that same day.
The two ended up walking and making it to their destination in time.
“We made it this far, might as well keep walking,” Boose recalled Jaz saying. “Jaz even found us a ride back home.”
Friends mourn on social media, create a GoFundMe
Devin Brooks remembered a conversation with Jaz about getting together for his birthday and holidays, now he’s getting messages from people who loved his brother.
“I have about 15 or so people hit me up a day, asking me about his pallbearer situation,” Brooks said.
“I really hate saying r.i.p to people,” one person said on social media. “Jaz was the coolest little brother even though we weren’t blood. Him and Devin made me feel at home.”
Another person added: “Jaz was a really and I mean really great guy. I wish I could say that I knew him better.”
A GoFundMe was created to help with funeral costs. Jaz Brooks’ funeral is Friday, July 12 at 11 a.m. at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 730 Sylvan St. in Emporia.
“This was a once in a lifetime type of friendship,” Boose said of Jaz. “I’m never going to have a friend like that.”
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