KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One year after Tammy DeHaan’s son was shot and killed at the BP gas station at the corner of Linwood Boulevard and Indiana Avenue, she says she still can’t believe it.
“In all my life, I never thought I would lose my son to pumping gas,” she said, standing in front of the same station.
“I can tell you that grief for the loss of a child, no matter how old he is. It’s an excruciating, painful grief.”
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Court records say that Lorenzo Johnson attempted to steal DeHaan’s car on August 24, 2024. When DeHaan tried to fight back, Johnson shot him, then ran over DeHaan’s body.
Returning to the place where it happened brings back difficult memories for Tammy.
“I feel him. I see him everywhere, but it’s hard to see where he died. It’s hard to see the man that shot him. It’s very difficult,” she said.
Shortly after, an ambulance passed the vigil, sirens blaring and lights flashing.
“That kills me. I still get goose bumps every time I hear sirens,” Tammy said as she shuddered.
“It brings back a lot of bad memories.”
As friends and family joined to remember Michael, Tammy offered a few words of remembrance before a balloon release ended the vigil.
Michelle Norris with Corey’s Network says that the day is an “un-iversary” instead of an “anniversary.”
“It’s important that we always recognize these dates because if we don’t recognize these dates, it’s almost like our loved one has been forgotten,” Norris said.
“So it’s important for each individual when that anniversary comes around, to be able to recognize that loss and to recognize the love that is still there.”
Tammy now works with Corey’s Network and says that it keeps her going.
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“I didn’t think I could live without Mike, and now I’m helping other people because of him.”
Even after his death, she says that she’s proud of the impact that Michael made in his community.
“I got tons of letters when he passed away, a lot of them that I didn’t even know,” she said.
“But I’ll tell you, the day I left that celebration of life, I was never more proud of my son.”
Johnson’s trial date is set for December 15. He faces 8 total charges from that night, including second-degree murder.
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