Family of Syracuse double homicide victim desperate for answers: ‘Justice for my son, that’s what I want’

Winston Brown Jr.

Winston Brown Jr., 22, was shot in the head in Syracuse’s South Side on Oct. 7 and died two days later. Provided by Zanette Knighton

Syracuse, N.Y. -- On Oct. 7, Winston Brown Jr. took his mother’s car and told his father he was going to run to the store.

The next time his family saw him, he was in critical condition at Upstate University hospital with a gunshot wound to his head.

Winston Brown Jr., 22, and Kei’Sean Canery, 24, were shot in the head at 6:55 p.m. on Oct. 7 between buildings in the 400 block of Oakwood Avenue, Syracuse police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Malinowski said.

The men were rushed to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition. Two days later, both were pronounced dead.

Winston Brown Jr.’s parents - Zanette Knighton and Winston Brown Sr. - did not originally hear about the shooting of their son from police, Knighton said. She was told by people at the scene who recognized her son.

Knighton rushed to Upstate University Hospital looking for her son. She showed a nurse his photo to confirm he was there, she said. Police had not yet identified Brown Jr., she later found out.

Brown Sr. said that seeing his son in the hospital was one of the most difficult moments of his life. Brown Jr.’s face was difficult to recognize due to his injuries, he said.

Since his death, his parents have been desperate for answers about what happened that night, Knighton said.

“My heart is swelling in my chest,” Winston Brown Sr. said. “It is about to burst.”

Knighton has resorted to asking the community for help through Facebook. Sgt. Matthew Malinowski, a spokesperson for the Syracuse police, said that investigators have been in contact with the family and shared what they could about the investigation at this time.

Knighton and Brown Sr. said they are unsatisfied with the progress of the investigation. Knighton pled with the community to share any information they have regarding his son’s murder.

Brown Jr. always made his family a priority, Brown Sr. said. He was particularly close with his father and younger sister Zaniyah Brown.

His father said he often felt like he and his son were more like brothers. They did everything together, he said. Brown Jr. would want to spend time with his dad even if it meant running errands such as going to the grocery store, Brown Sr. said.

Brown Jr. spent Oct. 7 helping his father after his car was booted by the city, Brown Sr. said. He had paid for his father’s tickets and helped him remove the boot.

Brown Jr. was always around to help his family. He would consistently drive his younger sister to school and help his father find a job, his family said.

He helped his father write his job applications and eventually helped him get a job working in a Syracuse University dining hall.

Brown Jr. was currently working as a delivery driver but he dreamed of being a registered nurse. Before the pandemic, he was working toward that goal, his father said.

When the pandemic hit he focused on his job and helping his family. He was a quiet kid but was a fierce protector to his whole family, Knighton said.

“He is 22,” she said. “He should still be alive.”

The love he gave to his family was returned to him at his funeral, his father said. Though Brown Jr. lived in Syracuse his whole life, a majority of his father’s family lives in Jamacia. His entire family flew to Syracuse to say goodbye.

Although their son has been laid to rest, the nightmare is far from over for Knighton and Brown Sr. as they wait for answers regarding his murder.

“Justice for my son,” Brown Sr. said, “that’s what I want.”

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com

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