KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A quick-thinking and extremely brave young boy managed to save his two-year-old brother after a man broke into their East Side home, killing his mother and grandmother. On Thursday, he was honored for his courage by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and given an award that has always been reserved for police until now.
Jason J. Smith II watched his father get shot when he was only two years old. When his mother’s ex-boyfriend broke into their home last summer, Jason instinctively wanted to protect his little brother, Zion.
“I don’t want him to go through the same situation I did, where he saw his dad shooting my mom and his mom, so I decided to get him outa the house,” Jason said.
The man shot Jason’s grandmother first, while she was holding Zion. As soon as he could, he grabbed Zion and ran from the house, knocking on neighbor’s doors until someone answered. As he was running away, he heard more gunshots, which killed his mother. The gunman was later found dead at a motel.
Until now, the police department’s Lifesaving Certificate has been reserved for department members only, but because of Jason’s extraordinary bravery, an exception was made.
Jason said his mom taught him to be brave and strong, and that’s what he’s trying to do for her.
