YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A community came together to celebrate a young life tragically cut short by a stray bullet.
Hundreds of people came out late Thursday night to light a candle for eight-year-old Bryce Linebaugh outside his Rockford Village apartment where his was killed early Monday morning.
The little boy was asleep in his bunk bed when bullets from an assault rifle penetrated the walls of his family's second floor apartment hitting him in the head and killing him.
Neighbors and friends came out to pray and show their support for Bryce's family. His mother, Jessica, thanked the crowd.
"My baby didn't deserve what happened to him he was only eight and he touched every single one of these people in one way or another. This is not me mourning his death we're celebrating his life," Jessica said.
She says he was an amazing little boy.
"He was so sweet and loving. When I cried he cried. That's what a kind little boy he was. If I was hurting or sick he was there rubbing my back. He was my everything, he was my support, he was my everything," Jessica said.
She says Bryce loved playing with his brother and sister and looked forward to playing football this year.
"He told me, mommy I'm going to win the championship and I'm going to make you proud. And he didn't even get to play his first game. It's just so devastating that my baby's not here," Jessica said.
Jessica says she's thankful for everyone who has tried to help her get through this tragedy.
"I appreciate each and every card, each and every condolence, each and every gift. It is amazing. I want to tell everybody thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means the world to all of us," Jessica said.
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