On Saturday evening, many people gathered at Kelsey Park to pay their respects to 17-year-old Te’Shawn Harris. The group tried to remain optimistic despite the recent tragedy.

“We don’t consider it a death,” said Zahayra Hutchinson, Harris’ mother. “We’re celebrating my child’s homecoming.”

The Riviera Beach teenager was shot and killed around 3 a.m. on Aug. 8 near the 300 block of Sixth Street in Lake Park. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said it was a homicide.

“He was a good boy. I don’t know why they took my good boy away from me, man,” Hutchinson said.

Those who loved Harris say he spent his short life influencing his community.

“He was a leader, he brought a lot of kids out of their shells,” Hutchinson said. “He was always helping older people, adults, kids. He was a great guy.”

Rickey Aiken was Harris’ mentor through the nonprofit Inner City Innovator’s Hope Dealers, an organization that helps at-risk children and educates them about gun violence.

Aiken met Harris just hours before his death when he asked the teenager how he would like to be remembered.

“His answer was: I want to be remembered as a soldier.someone who, no matter how hard life got, just kept going and overcame adversity,” Aiken said.

Hutchinson is still trying to accept her son’s death and hopes that someone will be held responsible for the death.

“I just want justice for him,” Hutchinson said.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is still ongoing.

Inner City Innovators has started a fundraiser to help the family with funeral costs. Click here if you would like to help.

“He has a personality as bright as the sunshinesaid Aiken. “It wasn’t often that you saw him without him smiling or being encouraging.”

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