Community members mourn the loss of 16 year-old shot in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Just days after a Macon teen was shot while walking to school, family, friends and classmates gathered for a candlelight vigil honoring his memory.

“We have to worry about our kids anyway. We worry about them anyway, but to send him to school and for somebody to know their child could be gunned down and left out here–it’s scary,” said the victim’s father Joseph Sherman.

16 year-old Jayvon Sherman is the latest life claimed by gun violence in Bibb County and the 22nd homicide this year.

“He was on his way to school at Central (High School) early Thursday morning when he was shot. We’re following all kinds of leads right now. We don’t think it was random type situation,” said Sheriff David Davis.

But to friends and family, Jayvon was more than just another statistic.

“Jayvon was a funny kid just happy funny smiling all the time. He liked ‘snacks’ he called it–I called it junk food but he called it ‘snacks’–just a typical teenager that wanted to do something,” said Sherman.

Dozens came out on Sunday to pay their respects and show support of the Sherman family including Sheriff Davis.

“These acts of violence are senseless and we need to do all that we can in the home, school and in the community to do everything,” he said.

Despite leads in the investigation, family and friends of Jayvon are still trying to cope with the pain of this tragedy.

“7:00 in the morning, my baby was going to school to go get his education, doing what he was told and then to be gunned down in this way–it’s sickening. I’m tired of it…I’m tired of it,” said Jayvon’s father.

He says Jayvon’s story is only a small part of a much larger issue in Bibb County.

“It’s about Jayvon, but it’s bigger than Jayvon. I’m hoping that people see this and want to step up and be more in the community–the men step up,” he added.

Red and white balloons filled the air as the ceremony came to a close. But for community and family members, the real closure won’t come until there’s justice for Jayvon.

Anyone with any information that could help lead police to Jayvon’s killer is asked to step forward. You can contact the Bibb County sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.