ROANOKE, Va. (WSLS) - On Wednesday a candlelight vigil was held for Andre Dequan Webb, 24, of Roanoke.
Webb was shot and killed on Sunday near his home on 36th Street in Roanoke. Residents said the violence in the area must stop.
Flowers, balloons and handwritten messages are part of a makeshift memorial for Webb. Friends and family continue to mourn his loss.
"He was not a bad guy," said Carla Paige, Webb's friend. "This was not his beef."
Emotions ran high as close to 100 people gathered at the vigil. Crowds poured into the street to mourn Dequan's death. Police came to the area to check on the large crowd standing in the street. After learning mourners were paying respect to their son and friend, uniforms officer left the scene and the focus returns to the young life gone too soon.
For neighbors, Webb's death is a sad reminder of another life lost. Gary Craft has lived in the neighborhood for years. He's concerned about the violence.
Since January, there have been 4 shooting deaths nearby. Two people died after a shooting at the old Obenchain's Garden Center, another person was shot and killed at the Nu-Deli Mart and Andre Webb's is the most recent death.
Some residents are considering leaving the once-quiet community. Craft and other longtime residents said it's the violence that must go.
"I'm not going to run from our neighborhood," said Craft. "This is our neighborhood. We need to take it back."
Police say they've increased patrols in the area. Craft believes it will also take more residents looking out for each other to keep the area safe.
"We have to call the police when there are problems," said Craft. "You don't have to give names just make a phone call. We have to get on the same page and get our community back."
After this recent death, Webb's loved ones say they are praying for peace. Funeral services for Webb are expected to occur on Saturday.