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Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson seeking closure, justice after brother's shooting death, ESPN reports

Posted at 3:37 PM, Jul 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-29 02:52:54-04

After a police officer was shot and killed in his hometown of Kansas City, Kansas earlier this month, Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson used his Facebook page to express sadness and call for unity in the face of ongoing violence.

It's an issue close to the heart of Watson, whose brother, a retired cop, was shot and killed two years ago.

The details that led to that shooting, as well as Watson's desire for closure to the entire episode at an upcoming sentencing, were documented in a story written by ESPN's Marc J. Spears on Thursday.

In his story, Spears summarized police reports that detailed the death of Watson's brother, Dwayne Hooks, on Aug. 27, 2014 in Kansas City.

"Another one of Watson's brothers, Fernando Hooks, got into a heated argument with his stepdaughter that day. She departed and returned with her boyfriend, Tremayne Quinn, who got in an altercation with Hooks," Spears wrote. "A nearby Dwayne Hooks eventually joined the fight. Quinn allegedly brandished a gun and shot at both brothers in the legs as he ran away."

Blood clots that developed as a result of the gunshot wounds led to Hooks' death three days later at the age of 48. Spears said Watson and his sister are now raising Hooks' two teenage boys.

"I think about it all the time," Watson told Spears about his brother's death. "Everything happens for a reason. You know it's interesting, if we didn't have life lessons I don't think that I'd be as resilient as I am now."

Quinn pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and was released on bond until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday, according to Spears. Watson plans to attend that hearing and hopes Quinn will not walk away free.

"As a family that not only represents the state of Kansas but our family name worldwide, we do not ask for a favor, but yet justice," Watson wrote in a letter to the state of Kansas, adding Quinn has "made a mockery of the judicial system" by smiling and taking selfies in the courtroom.

Spears' piece, which also details Watson's journey from an NBA player to a head coach and includes comments from Suns players Tyson Chandler and Devin Booker, can be found here.