Dwaine Thomas was just over two weeks away from collecting his high school diploma from G.W. Carver High School in Birmingham-- his class was scheduled to graduate on June 3rd. Thomas is the latest Birmingham City Schools student to die from an act of gun violence.
"Something is wrong here," said Birmingham Mayor, Randall Woodfin. " Since January 1 of this year, so we haven't cleared five months--we've had not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven. We've had eight Birmingham City School high school students shot and killed." A ninth student was killed by gunfire but is not considered a homicide, according to the school district.
Thomas's mother, Deana Casco, described her son as "a beautiful kid that always had a smile."
"He loved people, period. If they were in need of help, he was going to try to help them," said Casco. "My son didn't bother nobody."
Instead of planning a graduation celebration, Casco is now planning a funeral for her son.
"I had people coming from everywhere," said Casco.
Casco told ABC 33/40 that she was excited to see her son walk across the stage. He'd completed all of his high school requirements in December and had the next step of his life lined up.
"He was starting electrician school in October," said Casco.
Thomas dreamt of becoming an architect.
"He told me one day he was going to build me a house," said Casco.
Those hopes and dreams were dashed Monday with the sound of gunfire. Thomas took his final breath on Tuscaloosa Avenue in the parking lot of an apartment building.
"I seen the police officers. I seen the tape," said Aaliyah Junius, Thomas's girlfriend. "I wanted to believe it wasn't him. I promise y'all, I wanted to believe it wasn't him. When I saw Bre and their faces, I just knew he was gone."
Thomas's sisters, Breanna, and Dasheanna Parks saw the fight and gunfire that led up to their brother's death Monday. Tuesday, they were trying to remember the good times with their "little-big brother"--like his senior prom just last Friday.
"He was so happy," said Dasheanna.
"He was smiling so much," said Breanna.
"I'm happy we got that time to spend with each other before," said Dasheanna.
Thomas also had a special connection with his two-month-old niece, Nova.
"He was always there for her. Anytime I needed him to watch her or anytime that I need a break--he was always coming over here to get her and see her. Make sure she's alright," said Breanna.
His family said the senseless violence has to stop.
"Think about how your family would feel," said Dasheanna.
"It's not worth it," said Breanna.
"You gone regret it. It is going to haunt you. If it doesn't, you're sick," said Junius.
Thomas's family intends to keep his name alive and achieve the promises he made.
"I'm going to get that house built just for him," said Casco.
Birmingham City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Mark Sullivan, released the following statement regarding Thomas's death.
“We have suffered the tragic loss of a student in Birmingham City Schools, and our hearts are saddened. Dwaine Thomas was a senior at Carver High School. He had already completed his graduation requirements and was scheduled to march in a couple of weeks. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dwaine’s family and his family of teachers and friends at Carver. Grief counselors will be at the school for students and staff [Tuesday].”
Birmingham Police have questioned a person of interest. Sgt. Rodarius Mauldin said more information would be released after the case is presented to the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office for review.
"He was supposed to be walking with his classmates next week. His mother is supposed to see him walk across the stage. His mother is supposed to hug him when he turns his tassel and he walks out of that graduation ceremony," said Mayor Woodfin. "It's not right. There are too many grieving mothers--too many families that have to deal with that."
Mayor Woodfin says his newly proposed budget this year includes $7.4 million for youth education prevention programs.
Woodfin said addressing gun violence goes beyond increasing funds for law enforcement. It includes prevention measures and re-entry measures, too.