Being from Saint Louis, I knew about Joyce from the time he was in high school.
He most recently was with the Saint Louis Rams in the off-season and it is just tragic what happened to him, but it underscores the violence that isn’t just happening here in Saint Louis, but in our country overall.
Former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Brandon Joyce has died from injuries sustained after he was shot outside a St. Louis-area Bass Pro Shop Friday. He was most recently a member of the St. Louis Rams’ offseason roster. Joyce was 26.
Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder. Cory J. Brooks, 21, Tory T. Brooks, 21, and Deveon C. Shockley, 21, all of the St. Louis area, have been taken into custody. Joyce was originally from St. Charles, a suburb of St. Louis.
According to police records, the men were involved in an altercation when Joyce was attempting to buy narcotics from them Dec. 24. There is a fourth suspect who has been preliminarily identified as the shooter, though he is not in custody.
Drug addiction leads to so many violent deaths.
Prayers go out to Joyce’s family and friends. Hopefully this is a lesson that drugs aren’t worth losing your life over. If you have an addiction or know someone who does please get help.