CLERMONT, Fla. — Hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil Wednesday in Clermont to honor 25-year-old Tyrek Hill, who was fatally shot in downtown Orlando on Nov. 1, while celebrating Halloween.

Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, 17, will be charged as an adult in connection with the deadly shooting that left two people dead and eight others injured.

What You Need To Know

  • State Attorney Andrew Bain announced that 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar will be charged as an adult in connection with the Nov. 1 shooting in downtown Orlando that left two people dead and eight others injured

  • A candlelight vigil was held for Tyrek Hill, 25, Wednesday night in Clermont

  • Family members, friends and community members honored Hill’s life 

  • Tyrek Hill’s mother, Teresa Clinton, called for much needed change regarding gun violence amongst the youth

Members of the community, friends and former colleagues came to McKinney Park to show support for Hill’s grieving family and honor his legacy.

“A gentle giant,” with a loving heart is how Hill’s mother, Teresa Clinton, wants people to remember her son.

“He had a smile that if you was down, that he would brighten your day,” she said.

Clinton said her son had an impact on many people in the community, which is helping her cope with the grief of losing a child.

“I’m making it through that the fact that he impacted so many lives and that I didn’t even know. All the nice words and things that people are saying about my son,” she expressed.

A group prayer and a slideshow containing pictures of Hill were displayed to the crowd during the event.

Before the end of the candlelight vigil, Clinton took the opportunity to spread an important message of needed change.

“We have to get a hold of our youth. We have to get a hold of the gun violence,” Clinton said, who added, enough is enough when it comes to youth gun violence.

A sentiment one of Hill’s childhood friends, Michael Floyd, also shared. 

“Put the guns down. It’s not worth it. The shooter was only 17, so he threw his whole life away over you know little things like that. I always say don’t let a 2 second decision affect your whole life,” Floyd expressed.

Floyd also happens to be the owner of Floyd’s funeral home and will be the one in charge of Hill’s funeral arrangements on Saturday, Nov. 9.

“I’m thankful that it is me, you know? They chose me, but it’s also like, wow, like I’m the one that has to put on my big boy pants,” he said.

A bittersweet responsibility he says he owes to Hill and his family.

Despite grieving, Floyd remembers the times he and Hill used to laugh over their shared love for dressing well, sports and family.

A visitation service for Hill is on Friday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Church of God by Faith. His funeral will be on Saturday, Nov. 9, at noon at the Family Christian Center.