The younger sister of Pose actor Ryan Jamaal Swain was killed in a shooting incident last week in Birmingham, Alabama.
AL.com first reported on the death of Raven Lynette Swain, 24. She was found by police unresponsive in her car on Tuesday evening in Underwood Park on Birmingham’s Southside.
She was declared dead at the scene shortly after cops arrived. Evidence indicated multiple shots had been fired and locals reported hearing shooting before the police were called. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
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The next day, Swain revealed on social media that Raven was one of his younger siblings. The 26-year-old queer actor, who plays Damon Richards-Evangelista on the FX ballroom drama, Pose, is the oldest of four children.
“The unimaginable happened last night, my heart, little sister, my ride or die, my partner in life took her last breath,” he said in an Instagram posting.
“Raven Lynette Swain, my heart is broken. I cannot even imagine life without you and I won’t. At the moment, we are hurting, gathering information, planning next steps, and lifting you up.
“This is not done. We will have swift justice.”
An accompanying text image said, “Our hearts are broken. We are in shock and continue to search for answers.”
It went on to say, “Raven was a light: loving, full of joy and laughter, and much more to the many people who knew and loved her.”
He also posted images of himself and Raven as children.
Yesterday, he posted another image, with the caption, “been about cha and im still about cha. i miss you so much rae rae. my shoota. my baby. the other Swain in this house. See you soon. 😢”
On twitter, Swain tweeted that instead of flowers, the family had set up an education fund for Raven’s other siblings.
A start. #RavenLynetteSwain pic.twitter.com/Ejxvqcx9YG
— Ryan Jamaal Swain (@RyanJamaal) August 1, 2020
Anyone with potential information about Raven’s death is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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Mister P
Terrible tragedy. I am very sorry for his loss.
Gun violence is out of control in this country.
funpitt412
Gun sales are up 145%. However, you can still not state that ALL Black Lives Matter without being called a RACIST! The Black Lives Matter movement sends all money donated to Democrats. The Democrats use black people to get elected with empty promises and then ignore them.
Cam
What a shock, one of the right wing troll screenames that always defends racists, wants to use the death of a woman due to gun violence as an opportunity to attack a black group that had nothing to do with the shooting.
MISTERJETT
FUNPITT, YOU’RE A RACIST PIECE OF TRASH!!!!!! SHUT UP!!!!!!!
Cam
A red state, so poor, high crime rate, and easy access to guns.
My sympathies to the family.
funpitt412
Cam (Karen), Birmingham is another blue city run by Democrats with high crime.
Cam
Translation: Cities in Red states have higher crime rates and worse economies.
funpitt412
The 19 of the 20 cities with the highest crime rates are run by Democrats. You do not know your facts Karen!
Kangol2
Crime across the US is down, Karen, despite fluctuations in a few places and the societal turmoil created by Don the Con!
Google “Many Americans Are Convinced Crime Is Rising In The U.S. They’re Wrong” and “FiveThirtyEight” to read how data underscore this point. Don the Con is undeniably leaving the US in far worse shape than he found it and you can’t blame that on Democratic mayors and governors, Karen!
That said, my heart goes out to Ryan Jamal Swain and his family. May his sister RIP and I hope her murderer(s) are found.
Cam
Red states have higher crime rates than blue states. But keep on trying Troll.
Mister P
Gun laws are made by the states. It doesn’t really matter who is mayor.
Gun violence is a problem in both Red and Blue states.
funpitt412
Democrat Blue States Have 46 Percent More Murders Than Republican Red States.
MISTERJETT
my deepest sympathies, to you and your family, Mr Swain.