POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- From singing to sharing memories, family, friends, school faculty and more all came out to honor the late Caval Haylett at a student-led memorial service at Poughkeepsie High School.
"I think he had kind of a global perspective on things and really had goals and dreams of what he wanted to do later on,” said Poughkeepsie High School Boys Basketball Coach Brian Laffin.
"Even in the classroom, his average was an 85, so we want him to be remembered as a student athlete, not just an athlete,” said Boys Basketball Captain Akili Hill.
"Just a cool, chill, hang-around type of guy," said Caval’s Brother Cattrer Haylett.
Police said Haylett was shot Wednesday in front of 104 Winnikee Avenue in Poughkeepsie. He died the next day. Police said they don’t believe Haylett was the intended target.
Those who spoke at the memorial said the shootings need to stop.
"You are so important to us. We need you around, we need you here, we need you healthy," said Bishop Debra Gause, who spoke at the service.
“We just wanted to look out for him and just try to get the community together and just show them that death is not a game, and we just want the violence to stop,” said Hill.
High school representatives said they’re keeping Caval’s memory alive in many ways. One example is they’re retiring his jersey and posting a replica of it in the high school gymnasium.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Caval’s family with funeral expenses and establish a scholarship in Haylett's memory.
If you have any information as to the shootings that occurred that night, you can call Poughkeepsie police at 845-451-4000.