In the early morning of Christmas, Jerry Weatherford woke to smoke in their Oakland home. In a moment of panic, he ran outside, urging Steven to escape as flames engulfed the house. Instead, Steven heroically ran upstairs to awaken their father and aunts, believing he could save them. Despite the heroism, the family lost Steven to smoke inhalation, illustrating a tragic loss on a day meant for celebration.
Jerry expressed his heartbreak, stating, 'I kept screaming for my brother to come out, and he just didn't come out.' In a race against time, while his brother battled the smoke, Jerry managed to escape, believing Steven had fallen while trying to flee. The despair of the moment was heightened by the holiday setting, reminding all of the love and family gatherings now overshadowed by tragedy.
LaShante Mayo, Steven's girlfriend, shared her love and grief, recalling how Steven was 'truly the best person you could ever meet.' She described how Steven had plans to propose to her with an engagement ring he had already purchased. Their Christmas together was filled with gifts and joy, turning into a heartbreaking loss that left her devastated, yet proud of his bravery to save his family.
The Oakland Fire Department is investigating the fire's cause, but the family grapples with a profound loss. They reflect on the Christmas celebration that turned tragic just hours later, emphasizing how quickly life can change. Jerry highlighted Steven's heroism, stating, 'He was a hero... He saved their lives,' a sentiment that resonates amid their grief, marking their brother's sacrifice forever.
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