UVALDE, Texas – Four-year-old Davaughn Rodriguez was found dead on Sunday, buried Thursday, and remembered Friday night at a vigil.
The boy's heartbroken father, Dion Rodriguez, was in tears Friday. His son Davaughn, gone not a week yet, was remembered on printed t-shirts, while his Dad summed up the boy's spirit.
"He was beautiful," Dion Rodriguez said.
Dozens gathered in Uvalde's town center Friday, candles lit in somber memory of a the boy.
"Give positive feedback to the family, to know that the community is on their side as far as grieving," said Tammy Flores, a family friend who helped organize the event.
People gathered in a large circle, whispering prayers for Davaughn's peace. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death have made the loss that much harder on the family.
"We all try and get together to be able to help each other and comfort each other during this time," said Elma Rodriguez, Davaughn's aunt.
Uvalde police said they're still following leads and are waiting on a medical examiner's report before taking action.
For a grieving dad, that can't come soon enough.
When asked what he hopes happens, Dion Rodriguez said, "(That) they catch whoever did this to him. Just wish I was there to protect him."