Family, friends to hold vigil for slain LU student

As Jefferson City police continue their investigation into the fatal shooting of the Lincoln University student government president, family and friends planned to remember him with a vigil and benefit concert Monday night in his hometown of Chicago.

D’Angelo Bratton-Bland, 23, was a decorated honors student from Chicago’s Perspectives Math & Science Academy in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago. At LU, Bratton-Bland was president of the LU Student Government Association, as well as a resident adviser and a member of the Lincoln University Ambassador team.

Authorities said Bratton-Bland did nothing to contribute to his fatal shooting on the night of Dec. 11. As of Monday, no motive or suspects had been determined. According to police reports, officers were called to a weapons offense in the 200 block of Dawson Street, which is northeast of the LU campus. As officers were responding to the scene, a gray Cadillac was seen traveling at a high rate of speed on East McCarty Street.

Officers stopped the vehicle at U.S. 50/63 and Monroe Street. Inside the vehicle, officers found four men, one of which was Bratton-Bland, who had suffered a gunshot wound. He later died at University in Columbia.

“He was determined to give back and shape the minds of youth with similar backgrounds as him, and he was committed to succeed,” said Glenn M. Harston II, a family friend who is working with Bratton-Bland’s family in trying to set up memorials to honor the young man and help his family.

Harston said he had worked with Bratton-Bland while he was in school and, “although he left the inner city of Chicago during a time when young African American men are being gunned down in the streets every day to pursue his education in the small town of Jefferson City, unfortunately the story ended the same, with another senseless murder. D’Angelo was about to enter his last semester of his senior year, with only five months left until graduation, when he was mysteriously gunned down.”

In a news release, D’Angelo’s oldest sister, Ashley Bratton, said, “We have so many questions and have been given so little answers. Why was D’Angelo Blatton-Bland killed? Was this a random senseless act of violence or was this a calculated crime?”

Harston said the family is working to have discussions with Lincoln as to what more they can tell them about what happened before Bratton-Bland was killed. He also said those who wish to help the family should go to whydangelo.com.

In the wake of Bratton-Bland’s shooting, Lincoln officials have pledged to be more vigilant in talking with students about safety precautions they need to take, particularly when they are off campus.

On Monday afternoon, Lincoln spokeswoman Misty Young said, “The university does not have any further comment at this time. The case is being handled by the Jefferson City Police Department.”

Jefferson City police continue to ask for anyone who might have information that can help with the investigation to contact them at the police department at 634-6400 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 659-TIPS (659-8477).