Layton Hagans

Layton Hagans was a 22-year-old Philadelphia resident known to family and friends for his bright smile, love of life, and devotion to those closest to him. The oldest of four children, Layton carried the role of big brother with care; loved ones remember him as someone who brought people together and took pride in supporting his family. He spent many afternoons playing basketball with friends and enjoyed the everyday company of his neighborhood community in Strawberry Mansion.

Layton worked at a local restaurant, a job he held with pride and which connected him to co-workers and neighbors who appreciated his friendliness and work ethic. Those who knew him describe him as outgoing and warm—someone whose presence lifted others and whose laugh and smile were often remarked upon by family members.

On May 30, 2012, Layton’s life was taken in a shooting in the Strawberry Mansion area of Philadelphia. He was transported to Temple University Hospital, where he died that afternoon. His death left a deep void for family, friends, and the community who remember him for the person he was rather than how he died. As of the latest public records reviewed, his killing remains unsolved and his family continues to seek answers.

Though public details about Layton’s life are limited to the facts reported at the time and reflections shared by family members in memorial listings, those accounts make clear he was more than a statistic: he was a beloved son and brother, a friend on the basketball court, and a young man who took pride in his work and his connections to family and neighborhood. This page honors Layton’s memory by keeping those remembrances visible and by acknowledging the value of the life he lived.