The community, family and friends of slain Ocean View resident Kyle Mitchell said their final farewell at a memorial service.
The 19-year-old was gunned down on Wednesday 2 February at the corner of Titan and Mercury road in Ocean View.
A toddler was also injured in the shooting.
Kyle’s father Kenneth Matthews said he realised how much his son was loved by the community with the tributes at his memorial on Friday 11 February.
“I just noticed on the memorial day the number of people and all the good things that were said about him.”
Matthews said he and his wife went to work on the morning of the shooting.
“We never saw Kyle on the day he died. He was at home the evening and the next day was supposed to start a job. He was so excited. He had his own dreams and some people cut his dreams short.
“No-one had the right to take his life.”
Remembering Kyle, Matthews said they were a family who didn’t always say “I love you”, but instead they showed it through their actions.
“Our love we proved through our actions in different ways, such as there always being a plate of food.
“There is a silence in the house, he was always the people’s person. A lady came to our house and told us how our son would go shopping for her and we didn’t even know that.
“The justice system has failed our communities.”
In a post on Facebook Glynis Gordon wrote that the service was emotional. “Was a very emotional memorial service.”
Aslam Richards wrote that he couldn’t imagine what the family was going through.
“Kenneth Matthews, my friend. We cannot begin to imagine the pain you must be in. We don’t know what to say to you. All we can do is be here for you and your family during this difficult time.”
