Balloon release held in memory of 11-year-old boy shot and killed on Johnson Street

SOUTH BEND, Ind -- Dozens gathered in the near Northwest neighborhood in South Bend on Saturday to honor the life of the city's latest homicide victim, T'yon Horsten, just 11 years old.

The block where the sixth grader tragically lost his life just before 5pm Thursday evening, was filled with grieving families and community members Saturday evening. 

People could be seen holding balloons of blue, green, and white in the boy's honor. Many in the community wondering, when will the violence end? 

Hundreds of those balloons were released off to T'yon, from the same spot he lost his loss to a senseless act of gun violence just days ago, near the corner of Johnson and Longley. 

Tears from the sky as both family and strangers came together to remember the little boy, forever just 11 years old.

"That’s my grandson that we out here mourning, he was a good kid…and my favorite thing about him was just that smile" said the boys Grandfather Ronnie Jackson who came in from Indianapolis.  

His family comforting each other through this unimaginable time and calling for peace. 

"It's just too much going on with this gun violence, and these kids not understanding life, and understanding how important life is, and we all need to come together and help each other like we used to back in the olden days, it wasn’t no he said he said, it was community things," said Jackson. 

The family is looking for justice; hoping someone will come forward with information,

"It takes the community to help… don’t be silent… talk!"

Anyone with information is being asked to come forward to the South Bend Police Department or submit an anonymous tip to Michiana Crime Stoppers.

There will be a celebration of life for T'yon Sunday April 23 at 3pm, also on the corner of Johnson and Longley Avenue.