Braeden Saunders Freeman, a 20-year-old male of unspecified ethnicity from Waco, Texas, tragically passed away on February 3, 2015. His death was the result of a botched robbery. Braeden was an avid basketball fan and player, and his family and friends have honored his memory by establishing a basketball camp and scholarship in his name.
The incident occurred on February 2, 2015, when Braeden and several others were inside an apartment in the 1900 block of South 16th Street in Waco.
A group of individuals, including Cierra Barber and Garrett Gage, attempted to rob the apartment. During the robbery, shots were fired, and Braeden was fatally wounded. Another individual, Keith William McClure, was also killed during the incident.
Cierra Barber, who was the getaway driver, and Garrett Gage, who entered the apartment and held the occupants at gunpoint, were later arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. Barber was sentenced to 30 years in state prison, while Gage received a 40-year sentence. Investigators determined that Chantz Hefelfinger, who was also present in the apartment, fired the shots that killed Braeden and McClure, but he was not charged as he was deemed to be acting in self-defense.
The loss of Braeden Freeman was deeply felt by his family, friends, and the community. His legacy lives on through the basketball camp and scholarship, which aim to inspire and support young athletes in his memory.
