It hasn’t been that long since Brookhaven was rocked by a violent July, in which three people were shot and killed in the course of just a few weeks. But as tragic as these deaths have been, one Brookhaven High School graduate is using them to redirect the attention of the community.

“I want to take the focus off the negative and to remind people there are still good people in Brookhaven,” Tyrus Daniels said.

More importantly, Daniels wants to remind the people of Brookhaven that there’s something even better and more important.

“Even through the tragedies that are occurring, God is still on the throne,” he said.  “You can’t run away from evil, but you can have faith and foundation that our savior will return.”

Daniels said after the tragedies, Facebook turned into a place where people were threatening to move to get away from the violence, and Daniels said it’s more important to build a stronger community than abandon the town because of violence.

“I just really like the city of Brookhaven — the sense of family,” he said. “That’s what keeps me going.”

Daniels has since organized a youth-only Bible study to help remind people of the power of God. Daniels said a belief in God helps to restore hope in his people.

“People do crazy things because they don’t have anything to look forward to,” he said. “But there are better things and there are better ways of doing things.”

Daniels, who attended Mississippi College for a year and will be transferring to State this semester, said he has always felt led to give back to the community he was raised in. Daniels plans to pursue a career in the medical field, either as a doctor or a physical therapist. Although his career is not set, he is determined to return to Brookhaven after school.

“I’ve always wanted to,” he said. “I’d actually hate it if I had to work any where else.”

Daniels said his love for his hometown stems from the great community leaders, teachers and hospital. As Brookhaven picks up the pieces, Daniels hopes that residents remember all the good things about the town and that they never give up on the Homeseeker’s Paradise.