LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – More than 50 friends, family members, and coworkers gathered at a Clermont park on Wednesday evening to honor the life of 25-year-old Tyrek Hill, who was killed in a mass shooting in downtown Orlando last Friday.
Hill says he will be remembered for his humor, kindness, and infectious smile.
He worked at Car Store Towing; many of his colleagues attended the vigil, which was especially moving for Hill’s mother, Teresa Clinton.
“He had a smile that, if you were down, he would brighten your day,” said another mourner. “He was very funny, very humble, and most of all, Tyrek Hill had a loving heart.”
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Clinton expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and said it helps cope with his loss.
“He impacted so many lives, and I didn’t even know all the nice words and the things that people have said about my son,” she said. “The videos they’re sending me are helping me get through this time.”
The group gathered around a projector screen displaying photos of Hill, each image a cherished memory meant to offer his family comfort.
Tears were shed, and some even laughed as stories about Hill were shared.
“Tyrek, he was one of a kind,” one person said. “He stayed clean, he was a humble young man, and one thing that got me, that had me laughing, he hit me with ‘yes, ma’am,’ and I was like, ‘Man, I’m in my 30s!’”
Hill was one of two people killed in a Halloween night shooting that injured 8 others in downtown Orlando.
Police have arrested 17-year-old Jaylen Edgar, who now faces first-degree murder and attempted murder charges after opening fire in a crowd.
For Clinton, the news came as a shock.
“I was home when I got the call from a friend,” she said. “She said that Tyrek had been shot, and I said, ‘I understand he’s been shot, but is he alive?’”
Clinton started driving to the hospital.
“As I got closer to ORMC, someone called me who was with him and said, ‘Mama, I believe he’s dead.’”
After the vigil ended, Hill’s coworkers signaled their support in a heartfelt tribute.
About 10 tow trucks drove away from the park, simultaneously honking their horns in memory of Hill.
“We’re going to keep his legacy alive,” one friend said.
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