Hundreds of community members, friends and family of Kiwane Carrington held a candlelight vigil outside the boy’s home at 906 Vine Street Wednesday night. The group walked a few blocks to New Hope Church of God in Christ after the vigil.

Friends and family sang a song in memorial, spoke to the crowd about Carrington and urged the youth of the community to stay in school.

“To all the young people, don’t let Kiwane’s life be in vain,” said Seon Williams, who cut Carrington’s hair at a Champaign barber shop. “Go to school. Stand up, and let’s be something.”

Jasper Osler, Champaign resident who knew Carrington’s grandmother, said the community and family needs the support that was shown Wednesday night.

“I don’t support the wrong (a dead individual) if it happens to be black or white,” Osler said. “If it was a white kid, I would have still been out here to show support.”

Regina Rivers, Carrington’s aunt, spoke to the crowd and asked parents to become involved in their children’s lives.

“Understand what they say when they come and talk to you,” Rivers said. “I’ve always had an open-door policy with my kids.”

Nevin Elam, 17-year-old Centennial High School student, said he knew Carrington from school and from the neighborhood.

“I didn’t think this many people would show up,” Elam said. “It’s good to see the support because it doesn’t happen very much in this community.”

Stacey Plotner, teacher at Centennial High School, said she did not know Carrington well but wanted to show support for his family and friends. Carrington attended Centennial High School for a semester last year before going to READY (high school), Plotner said.

“It’s been a somber mood at school this week,” she said.

Ondine Gross, Centennial High School psychologist, said that there have been psychologists at both Champaign high schools and some of the middle schools throughout the week.

“We just want to engage the students and show them that we care, and we hear them and we support them,” Gross said. “We took the time to grieve and express confusion.”

Walter Gonzalez, Champaign resident, said he did not know Carrington but felt he should attend.

“I am an outraged citizen,” Gonzalez said. “I want to know why a 15-year-old, unarmed child had deadly force used and was unnecessarily killed.”

Mary LaPlace, Champaign resident, said she was new to the community and wanted to show her support for the family.

“It’s very impressive that a lot of people came out,” she said. “I was impressed with the diversity of the crowd and the peacefulness and positivity they all showed.”