On the morning of August 6, 2025, Kansas City, Missouri, was shaken by a horrifying act of violence that claimed the life of 42-year-old Braisen Cain—a beloved teacher, mother of five, and expectant mother. The incident unfolded in the quiet neighborhood along Morrell Avenue, where Cain was brutally attacked by her ex-boyfriend, 36-year-old Arel Dawkins.
Cain had recently ended her relationship with Dawkins, who was also the father of her unborn child. According to police reports and witness accounts, Dawkins drove his Ford F-150 truck into Cain’s front yard and deliberately struck her with the vehicle. As she lay injured on the grass, Dawkins exited the truck and fired 21 rounds from a .40 caliber pistol at close range, even pausing to reload before continuing the assault.
The attack was captured on video by a neighbor, and multiple witnesses identified Dawkins as the assailant. Surveillance footage corroborated the sequence of events, showing Dawkins’ truck rolling backward after impact and him stepping out to carry out the shooting. After the attack, Dawkins fled the scene in his vehicle.
In the hours that followed, Dawkins reportedly confessed to the murder during phone calls with friends and family, expressing suicidal thoughts. His family contacted authorities, and law enforcement tracked his phone to Springfield, Missouri, where he was arrested without incident. He is currently being held without bond in Greene County Jail and faces charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Braisen Cain was a teacher at the Academy for Integrated Arts in Kansas City and was deeply loved by her community. Her five sons, ranging in age from 2 to 19, are now left to mourn the loss of their mother. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support her children and cover funeral expenses, with friends describing Cain as “one of the most loving, kind and caring individuals you could ever meet.”
This senseless act of violence has left a deep scar on the Kansas City community, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the urgent need for continued support and protection for vulnerable individuals.