My cousin Christopher Brandon Steven was born on September 12th, 1993, and was a proud alumnus of Austin High School, class of 2012. He loved sports and was a regular at Austin High School football games, UTEP football games, El Paso Chihuahuas baseball games, and El Paso Locomotives soccer matches. Christopher was also passionate about drawing and comics, and his creativity touched many people around him.

In June 2020, Christopher joined the Marine Corps and served his country until May 2025, when he was medically retired. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, he met the love of his life, Anna, and they married in July 2023. Chris and Anna recently celebrated their Shinto wedding ceremony, marking a new chapter in their lives together. The couple were planning to travel to Rome for their honeymoon in September, and had hopes to start a family soon after. Christopher dreamed of opening his own Mexican restaurant in Okinawa, so he could share his culture with his new found home. He was a proud member of the El Paso community who brought his family together. He was also his mother's pride and joy, and her only son.

This past week, Christopher returned to El Paso to renew his driver's license so he could obtain a Japanese license. While at a Walgreens with his mother and sister, he was tragically shot and killed.

His wife Anna and her family, who are from Japan, now face significant out-of-pocket costs for travel, hotel stays, car rentals, and funeral arrangements. Your support will help ease the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time. Funds collected from the GoFundMe will be transferred directly to Anna.

Thank you for your support.