TOMS RIVER, N.J.— On a chilly and wet spring night, more than 150 family and friends who loved Brandon Holt lit candles after his viewing ended and walked silently along sidewalks to Huddy Park in tribute Friday night.
Brandon, 6, was shot in the head Monday night by a 4-year-old playmate who police say had taken a .22-caliber rifle from his house. The 4-year-old fired the rifle accidentally while the two were playing outside.
Brandon, the son of Ronald and Christine Holt, was pronounced dead Tuesday. A funeral for Brandon is planned for Saturday. His parents and brother, Skylar Watkins, walked in the procession Friday night.
"This was the best way to honor Brandon," said his aunt Laura Decker of Brielle. "We wanted Brandon's voice to be heard and make a statement."
Hundreds of people visited Carmona-Bolen Home for Funerals to pay their respects.
Brandon's uncle Randy Holt said a man who visited the viewing said he had suffered the death of his 2-year-old.
"For that man to come to us and say he was sorry meant a lot," Randy Holt said. "The police and firefighters have done so much. It's like Brandon was their own kid."
The candlelight vigil was organized by family friend Katie Coyne and Talia Garofono, said Decker.
"All this is for Brandon and for the community," she said.
Christine and Ronald Holt listen to speakers during a candlelight vigil Friday night for their son Brandon, who was killed in a gun accident.(Photo: Peter Ackerman, staff photographer)
As the procession left the funeral home for the park, police stopped traffic so vigil participants could cross the street.
Brandon, 6, was shot in the head Monday night by a 4-year-old playmate who police say had taken a .22-caliber rifle from his house. The 4-year-old fired the rifle accidentally while the two were playing outside.
Brandon, the son of Ronald and Christine Holt, was pronounced dead Tuesday. A funeral for Brandon is planned for Saturday. His parents and brother, Skylar Watkins, walked in the procession Friday night.
"This was the best way to honor Brandon," said his aunt Laura Decker of Brielle. "We wanted Brandon's voice to be heard and make a statement."
Hundreds of people visited Carmona-Bolen Home for Funerals to pay their respects.
Brandon's uncle Randy Holt said a man who visited the viewing said he had suffered the death of his 2-year-old.
"For that man to come to us and say he was sorry meant a lot," Randy Holt said. "The police and firefighters have done so much. It's like Brandon was their own kid."
The candlelight vigil was organized by family friend Katie Coyne and Talia Garofono, said Decker.
"All this is for Brandon and for the community," she said.
Christine and Ronald Holt listen to speakers during a candlelight vigil Friday night for their son Brandon, who was killed in a gun accident.(Photo: Peter Ackerman, staff photographer)As the procession left the funeral home for the park, police stopped traffic so vigil participants could cross the street.