WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – A community is mourning the loss of two young men.
Pictures on posters and candles lighting the dark honor the memory of two young men taken too soon. The Wythe County community gathered Wednesday night to mourn the loss of 17-year-old Aidan Dawson and 24-year-old Raymond Rodriguez. Raymond's brother is still trying to process the loss.
"I didn't know if it was real or I was dreaming. But right here, right now, I know I'm not dreaming," said Chris Rodriguez, Raymond's brother.
Around 100 people filled Withers Park to light candles, shed tears and share the pain of a loss affecting so many.
"Aidan was a good kid too, and it's just sad that they got taken away so young," said Rodriguez.
Two families fighting tears and facing the unimaginable loss of two young men, while three other young men sit behind bars facing charges for their involvement in the homicides.
"A life is one of the most precious things in the world but some people must not think that the same way as the rest of us," said Rodriguez.