Knoxville police announced they detained multiple people in the deadly shooting of 12-year-old Jajuan Latham, who was killed in a gang-related shooting in Mechanicsville on Saturday.
Jajuan's relatives are urging anyone else involved in his death to turn themselves in.
Dalandra Porter remembers her son Jajuan as fun-loving and passionate. “He loved basketball, loved his family, loved his friends... He just was loyal to anything that he was a part of," she said.
Police say he was killed in a gang-related shooting Saturday night as an innocent bystander. Porter said he had dreams to play in the NBA and held admiration for his cousin Zaevion Dobson, who was also shot and killed in gang violence.
"They were close," she said. "He had so many questions about what happened to Zaevion. I don't even remember half of them, but I had to answer a lot of questions."
Days after the shooting, the family is still trying to answer its own questions.
"The only thing I think about when I hear my nephew’s name and see these news flashes,” said Jajuan’s uncle Dejuan Porter, “is he's the last angel we'll probably ever see again in this life.”
As community support pours in, Dalandra says she's only now realizing just how many lives her son touched.
“It feels good to know that my son had that impact on so many people, and to know that everybody is reaching out to help us through. It's a lot. It feels good, and it helps."
For now, relatives are embracing one another. As they hold on to the memories they'll never forget, they have one plea for whoever caused this pain.
"I pray that God forgives you and you come forward. And admit to what you've done,” said Jajuan’s aunt Sammie Porter.
Jajuan's funeral will be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Overcoming Believers Church.