The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

CEDAR RAPIDS — The big brother of 16-year-old Michael McCune, who was targeted by four juveniles and fatally shot in 2023 , tearing up, said Monday it’s not fair that he can only look at a gravestone, instead of seeing his brother’s smile that “lit up a room.”

Keonte McCune, wearing a shirt with Michael’s image, said he feels guilty because it was his job to protect his little brother, but he wasn’t there on Feb. 18, 2023 when Michael left his mom’s home. Michael was listening to music that morning, as he usually did, when Keonte left the apartment.

After leaving, Keonte got a call from his mother, saying “They’re shooting. They’re shooting. Come home.” By the time Keonte arrived, police ta

See Full Page