Hundreds gathered Saturday night to remember Kedarie Johnson, a 16-year-old who brought life to everyone he met.
"By him being so alive, It's hard to believe he's gone," says Kedarie's friend Andre Giles.
Kedarie was found in an alley off of Walnut Street in Burlington, Iowa last Wednesday night. He was shot multiple times and died.
Members of Citizens Against Crime in Burlington spoke on the importance of coming together to put an end to violence for good.
"After today it shows how well we can get together, how people can be peaceful, how people can move forward. It definitely shows hope," says Gigi Johnson.
The alley where Kedarie's life ended was filled with happy memories of his life and the confident, fearless individual he will forever be remembered as.
"He was just always there. Anytime someone would be down, it was always him there," says classmate and friend Niaayanna Tellis.
"He was just a really amazing kid, so joyful. He will be missed," says Burlington High employee Teresa Ioerger.
"He always said everyone's going to love me. I'm going to be on T.V. I'm going to be famous. But you never thought it was going to be in this way," says Giles.
The Burlington Police Department say they have no one in custody at this time. They are still actively investigating this unthinkable crime.