MIAMI – Dozens of people gathered in Coral Reef Park to remember 7-year-old Amiere Castro and pay tribute to his short life.
Members of his family, the community and his youth football team released balloons in Amiere's honor at the park Saturday.
Several people spoke about the young boy and the impact he made in such a short time.
Along with balloons being released into the sky were cheers of fourteen, the number Amiere wore as a player for his Palmetto Bay youth football team, the Broncos.
"I understand why everybody cares because he was nothing but love. Nothing but affection," said Amiere's mother, Cici Willis.
Willis said the support her family is getting is touching because it shows the impression her son made in just his short seven years.
"It hurts that his time is done, but I'm just so glad that everybody had a chance to be part of my baby's life," Willis said.
Police said Amiere was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting while he was inside a home near Southwest 152nd Street visiting family last Sunday.
There was a clear message Saturday night to the young people gathered to stand up to violence.
Willis spoke briefly about the arrests police made this week, but said she has faith in the justice process and she wants to focus on her son.