A young man who murdered two boys encountered the love and mercy of God when one of the victims father forgave him. What’s more, he also officially adopted him into his family—a perfect demonstration of God’s unfailing love and grace.
Officer’s Son Murdered
On May 27, 2002, Jacksonville Police Officer Ike Brown received heartbreaking news from his colleagues. His Sergeant, Lieutenant, Chief, and Chaplain came to his home and told him his son had lost his life in a shooting incident.
The Church of Eleven22. (Screenshot). (2023). Forgiving & Adopting My Son’s Murderer: Ike’s Story, Retrieved May 23, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/BeRceEK8sDk
Ike’s son was a bright young boy, the class clown, and a basketball player. He was a kind young boy who loved his family and friends.
Shooting Incident
On the day the shooting happened, his son was playing video games at his friend’s home. Then shots started going off inside the house, killing 21-year-olds “Isaac Brown Jr. and Jeffrey Hicks.”
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After the police investigation, they discovered that the two young men weren’t connected with the murderer at all. They just happened to be there when the suspect, Takoya Kreiner, opened fire. A prosecutor attested that Takoya “went to Bury South Side home that night to smoke pot and drink beer.”
The Church of Eleven22. (Screenshot). (2023). Forgiving & Adopting My Son’s Murderer: Ike’s Story, Retrieved May 23, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/BeRceEK8sDk
Father Adopts Son’s Murderer
Three years after Ike Jr.’s burial, the trial began. And for the first time, Ike would face the man who killed his eldest son. He thought he would feel rage, anger, and revenge against him. But he was surprised that he felt compassion from the moment he laid his eyes on him.
Ike questioned God about the compassion he felt towards his son’s murderer. Instead of hate, he chose forgiveness and even wanted to hug the man who murdered his son. Takoya was sentenced to life imprisonment for first-degree murder.
“I realized that something was happening inside of me that I wasn’t even aware of,” the father recalled. “I know without a doubt it was God.”
Ike often prayed for Takoya. And a couple of years later, he sent him a letter forgiving him that eventually led to his encounter with the Father’s unconditional love.
Watch the heart-warming moment in this powerful testimony!
Reference | The Church of Eleven22
Header Image: The Church of Eleven22. (Screenshot). (2023). Forgiving & Adopting My Son’s Murderer: Ike’s Story, Retrieved May 23, 2023 from: https://youtu.be/BeRceEK8sDk
