Eleven-year-old Brexialee Torres-Ortiz, a sixth-grade student who was killed in a drive-by shooting on Jan. 16, was laid to rest on Friday in an emotional service.

The sanctuary was filled with classmates, teachers, family and friends, many of whom were still in disbelief as they honored the young girl in a celebration of life service.

Many people wore the color purple, her favorite color.

People said their final goodbyes to Brexialee, but also celebrated her life.

“When we are going to say goodbye to a family member, we rather celebrate who they were than the sad part and that they are going to be around us anymore," Syracuse Common Councilor Rita Paniagua said. "We’re celebrating the life that we spent with them.” 

In an emotional speech, Brexialee’s mother, Brenlee Ortiz, called her daughter a seed. She said she will bury her in the ground so she can grow.

“What it means is that you plant that seed and Brexi will grow in your heart and will guide you to do good, to do well, to be a good community member, to smile, to be the precious person she was,” Paniagua said.

Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile provided some remarks, speaking about the family’s kindness and courage during a time of tragedy.

“That is exactly why 11-year-old Brexi was how she was and who she was," Cecile said. "Taking care of her classmates. If they didn’t have a pencil that day, if they didn’t have a notebook, if they needed something, going to the teacher and being their advocate. It makes perfect sense now to me, as she got all that from what was occurring inside the four walls of that home.”

Brexialee will be buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Although her light has been dimmed, it now shines through all the lives she touched, those sat the service said.

Cecile said he hopes Brexialee becomes the name behind a reduction in gun violence.

“Some people putting down the guns, some folks telling us where the guns are, who’s toting them, where the community guns are, so we can work in partnership,” Cecile said.