In Little Rock, Arkansas, a promising life was tragically cut short on June 1, 2015, when 26-year-old Yolanda Renee Whitfield, a Black female, was killed. Whitfield was a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she was an integral part of the campus community, having served as a Resident Assistant, a Graduate Hall Director, and a Living Learning Communities Coordinator since she began her studies in 2008. She was also actively involved in the Social Work and Student Affairs programs and held positions in the TRiO and Financial Aid offices.
The events that led to her untimely death unfolded at the residence of her boyfriend's mother on the 7800 block of West 28th Street. An argument erupted between Whitfield and her 25-year-old boyfriend, Cory Dewan Brooks. According to police reports based on witness accounts, the couple was arguing in a bedroom when Brooks' mother attempted to intervene. The situation escalated, and it was reported that Whitfield struck the mother. In response, Brooks allegedly shot Whitfield five times.
In the wake of the shooting, a warrant was issued for Cory Dewan Brooks for first-degree murder. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody in connection with Whitfield's death. Brooks was held on a $100,000 bond. The university community mourned the loss of a vibrant member of their campus, holding a memorial service to honor her life and her contributions to UALR.
