Brandon Quintin Adams Who Played Young MJ in 'Moonwalker' Video Is Grown & Lost His Friend Merlin Santana in Shooting

"Moonwalker" child star, Brandon Quinton Adams, who starred as MJ in Michael Jackson's 1988 hit, "Moonwalker has grown into a handsome young man.

Brandon Quinton has defied the odds and lived to his prime, growing into a successful adult. Sadly, the same can't be said of most of his co-actors on the 1988 blockbuster, "Moonwalk," and 1996, "Moesha."

The actor, now 40, is a survivor of a shootout that claimed the life of his best friend and fellow icon, Merlin Santana.

THE ATTACK

The tragic encounter happened in 2002, following a one-night-stand-gone-awry. The two young actors visited a Chinese restaurant, where they met a teenager, Monique Mercedes King.

Merlin and the female hooked up on the same night, but by morning, Mercedes wanted their encounter to progress into a long-term relationship.

The actor declined, which got the lady upset. The scorned woman went on to lie to two of her male friends, Damien Gates and Brandon Bynes that she was raped by the "Cosby Show" star.

Angered by the discovery, Damien and Brandon ambushed the two actors outside a house party, firing shots at them through the window as soon as they got into the car.

Adams sped off eventually, but not before his friend sustained mortal wounds. The 26-year-old died shortly after his arrival at the hospital.

JUSTICE SERVED

Following the incident, the culprits were arrested, and after the trial, received their respective jail sentences.

Nearly two decades after the "Steve Harvey Show" icon's death, the survivor is now forty years old, and no longer the teen heartthrob many remember.

The 15-year-old teenager, who lied about her age to convince Merlin she was an adult got sentenced to ten years in a juvenile home.

THE AFTERMATH

However, the shooters were not as lucky. While Damien received three consecutive life sentences and 70-year jail time, Brandon got sentenced to 23 years imprisonment.

The encounter left the "Moonwalker" star devastated, and unwilling to talk about the tragic night. Reflecting on his feelings several years after during an interview, the actor noted:

"It was devastating. It took me a long time to recover from that. Merlin was my best friend, and the murder was a senseless thing."

REMEMBERING THE CHILD STAR

Following the demise of his best friend, the icon gave up acting for years but made a triumphant return to the screens in 2012.

Nearly two decades after the "Steve Harvey Show" icon's death, the survivor is now forty years old, and no longer the teen heartthrob many remember.

As most may recall, Merlin and Adams captured the movie screen back in the 90s, making several appearances together in several videos including "Moonwalker" and "Moesha."

The 40-year-old starred as a young Michael Jackson in "Moonwalker," and in "Moesha," as one of the title character's boyfriends.

His other movie credits include "The Sandlot," "D2: The Mighty Ducks," "D3: The Mighty Ducks," "Boy Meets World," "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air," and "Kingdom Hearts" among others.