JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The mother of a 15-year-old boy who was killed early Wednesday in Lakeshore said what was taken from her and her family, the life of her son, can never be replaced.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said Johnnie Carter was shot and killed about 5 a.m. Wednesday during an altercation in the street near the intersection of Sunderland Road and Vista Avenue, two blocks west of Blanding Boulevard.
Johnnie's mother, Erica Carter, spoke to News4Jax on Thursday, just hours before a candlelight vigil was held at Lakeshore United Methodist Church on Blanding Boulevard.
"I'm usually good with words. But there are no words to convey this kind of pain, unless you've experienced this kind of pain. There's nothing I can say that can make you understand it. To whoever knows something or seen something, please come forward. Justice needs to be served," Carter said. "This wrong can't be right. Somebody needs to be held accountable and that person needs to face justice. And to whoever did it, I will spend the rest of my life, to my dying day, to make sure you have paid for what you have done to my child and my family."
Carter talked about the lives of her family, which were filled with laughter and smiles, especially during their family vacations.
"What was my family like? Picture perfect," Carter said.
Johnnie's father was hit by a truck and killed last year. Carter said none of them were the same after that, especially Johnnie.
"I've lost my son. I've called the cops several times, telling them I'm having problems getting him to school. The police officers tell me there's nothing they can do to help. I call and tell them that my car is missing and so is my son. And they don't even come out to make a report," Carter said.
Carter said she didn't know that her son had left the house in the early morning before he was shot. She said her son was a good kid who loved to skateboard and sing in the youth choir at church.
"I want to have faith now more than ever, because I want to believe that one day, I will see my son again," Carter said.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Johnnie's family with funeral expenses.
VIDEO: Johnnie's mother speaks about search for killer
Police said they are searching for whoever killed Johnnie. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
Vigil held for slain teen
Less than 48 hours after Johnnie was shot and killed near his home in Lakeshore, friends and family gathered at a vigil Thursday night.
Over 100 people walked from Lakeshore United Methodist Church, where Johnnie sang in the youth choir, to the scene where the shooting happened. The group lit candles in his memory, sang songs and told stories about him. They also prayed for peace for the community and for justice to find whoever shot the teenager.
WATCH: Vigil held for teen killed in Lakeshore | Johnnie Carter remembered at vigil
“I think everybody has been on high-alert because this happening so quickly. And I know that a lot of our neighbors were calling the church and coming by and asking if there has been any updates or if we have heard anything or we have been in contact with police with it being so close to our campus," said Christy Davis, children's ministry coordinator at Lakeshore United Methodist Church.
Community members said they are relying on their faith to get them through this hard time.
"Our community is struggling. And we want to make sure we are there," Davis said. "We want kids like Johnnie and his friends, whenever they come, they have a nice place to go and a safe place to be."
The church congregation will also be praying for Johnnie and the community during their services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sunday. The public is invited to attend.