It would be safe to say that most parents raise their children to be upstanding and respectful. Our hope is that we see our children grow up to be amazing adults adding value to society. Sadly, many parents in Chicago never get to realize this because of the violence that continues to impact the city’s neighborhoods. Courtney Copeland was a well respected, hard working young man. He had goals and dreams. According to friends and family, he had a positive spirit that was infectious. Despite all of these qualities, Courtney became a victim of violence after being murdered on March 4, 2016. The investigation into his death is still ongoing.
We spoke with his father, Brent Wells. He shared his feelings, pain and what it’s been like adjusting to his new normal.
Tell us about your child.
He was fun, he loved God, his family and friends. He was very positive and outgoing. He excelled in sports, baseball and basketball. Once he became a part of World Ventures Travel Clubs, he was very hard working and determined to become marketing director where he would earn enough to the point where I could retire early.
What has been the hardest part of dealing with losing a child?
Just the fact that he was murdered was hard enough because he was a good child and didn’t deserve what had happened to him.
When you look in the mirror and think about your son, what is on your mind?
It’s hard to really express how I feel because knowing that my family will be incomplete with him not around, he will be missed.
Who do you blame for this?
Due to the ongoing investigation, I’d rather not speak on that [right now].
What would you like to say to the person who took your child’s life?
Why? Why did you shoot him? I know for a fact, he did nothing to provoke you.
How has this affected your daily life?
They say you have to adjust to this “new normal” but losing a child isn’t normal. To lose someone you raised, took to school, taught about God, taught how to drive, played video games and cracked jokes with is hard. Just trying to adjust to the fact my boy is gone just ain’t easy.
What would you like to say to the public? What don’t they understand?
As a parent, I’ve experienced happiness and some disappointment; however, I never thought I would experience the greatest pain that a parent would ever feel is to lose their child, especially to gun violence. My wife and I did our absolute best, and we still get feedback to this day on how he inspired someone, helped someone who was down, and just looked out for people sometimes not even knowing them. I want people to know Courtney was a good child that grew up to be a good man who was loved by many. Unfortunately, he became another innocent victim to the senseless gun violence that has plagued the city for decades. He will be missed. I miss him.
