ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The family of Jermiyah Nelson, 12, gathered for a candlelight vigil in his honor Friday evening.
St. Petersburg Police said he died earlier this week after an accidental shooting at the James Park Apartments on 3rd Avenue North on Dec. 23.
"He loved sports. He was very athletic. He loved music. He just loved his mom. He's a mama's boy," said Jermiyah's mother, Crystal Nelson.
"He wanted to be a man faster than what he was, to me," said his father, Terron Gland. "He was the baby boy of five girls, so he just wanted to show his mom and sisters that he could be a man. Good kid — I mean a good kid, just got with the wrong crowd."
Police said they don't yet know how Jermiyah got the gun, but his father said he knew the impact they could have. Gland said Jermiyah was friends with Amir Williams, 11, who was shot and killed earlier this year.
"It only leads to jail or death, and we've seen that in my family. I mean, Jermiyah has seen it, so I definitely didn't expect this," Gland said.
"Guns (are) not the answer at all — playing with them, to have them," said Nelson. "Just being curious and wanting to know how to use it, it's just not worth it to put a mother through this. No mother should have to bury their child."
It was a message she also stressed to kids and teens at the vigil.
"I'm begging, I'm begging you young people: please stay away from guns. Please," she said.
Jermiyah's family has started a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
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