RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT)—On Wednesday, around 2,000 people celebrated and honored Jaylen Martinez’s life.
Friends, family, former coaches and other community members paid tribute to the 13-year-old rising basketball star who had left a positive impact on many.
Basketball hoops were lowered on either side of the closed casket, with a photo of Jaylen in his Liberty Middle School Eagles jersey, holding a basketball to his shoulder.
It seemed fitting that his celebration of life would be held on a basketball court at Henrico’s Sports and Events Center.
For three hours, songs and prayers were lifted high and more than a dozen speakers praised Jaylen for his talents and heart.
Henrico Police said Jaylen was killed in an accidental shooting last week.
His death has been heartbreaking for all those who love him.
Jaylen’s mother, Ciera Martinez, described it as losing her best friend.
“Obviously, Jaylen touched a lot of lives. I’m numb. I’m angry because I still don’t have answers,” Martinez said. “We were always, always, always together. If you saw me, you saw him. If you saw him, you saw me. And nothing’s changing. He’s still with me.”
Jaylen’s father, Joey Rodriguez, spoke and got emotional at the podium.
“This kid had the heart of gold. He had Christ in his heart,” Rodriguez said. “I love him so much.”
Jaylen was set to play basketball at Benedictine as a freshman in the fall. To honor him, mourners dressed in green or wore green ribbons.
Many of Jaylen’s coaches spoke about his incredible basketball talent, but noted he was an even more remarkable young man off the court.
His RockIt AAU coach announced the team plans to retire Jaylen’s #5 jersey.
“It’s a lot of love in this room. It’s amazing how, you know, the boy who only lived such a short time reached this many people,” Jaylen’s aunt, Kristen Vaught, said.
Vaught said the family has felt Jaylen’s presence in the days since his death through a pinwheel blowing on a windless day and butterflies, and that it brings them comfort knowing he is in a better place.
“I just don’t want people to forget him. Remember him forever. Let him guide everybody, all of his friends, guide him in spirit, guide him in the way overall, in love,” Vaught said.
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