DURHAM -- He had a goal to one day play for the NBA, but a bullet ended 16-year-old Torry Trueluck's life.

"Right now, we're holding up pretty good. But eventually I know that I have to stay a little stronger for the family because I'm the head of the family." says Vanessa Graves-Cousin, his grandmother.

Durham police say officers went to the intersection of Elizabeth and Liberty streets after hearing gunshots Wednesday night. Shortly after, officers were told Trueluck was at hospital with a gunshot wound. He later died.

“It took a piece of my heart. It really tore me up. I was just lost for words at first. Very confused. Just wanted to make sure it was my child” says his mother, Arvestella Trueluck.

Torry was the youngest of three children.

“He was a very bubbly, smiley person like myself. He just kept everybody going no matter what,” says his mother.

Torry, a Nothern High School student, was known for being an athlete.

“Football, flag-football. He played baseball and his most lovable sport was basketball,” adds his grandmother.

Relatives say they still don't know what led up to the shooting, but say whoever the gunman is, that person is forgiven.

“Whoever you are, you know what you've done, please come forward,” warns the mother.

The family has yet to make funeral arrangments for Torry.