PEORIA, Ill. – Family, classmates, teachers, mentors, and the community gathered to remember young Torres Lamar Johnson.
The ten-year-old boy was fatally shot Sept. 29 inside of Cityscape Apartments on Peoria’s south side.
25 News reports a Johnson’s funeral was held Friday at Sovereign Grace Missional Baptist Church.
Diane Hines, Johnson’s music teacher at Elise Ford Allen Academy, said he expressed interest in the choir, but never got an opportunity to join due to scheduling.
The choir sang a cover of Whitney Houston’s ‘The Greatest Love of All’, and some original songs about finding hope, positivity, and inspiration.
“Some of the words, like when they sing ‘hang on in there, what are you going to do when your back is against the wall? How are you going to smile when it seems like all hope is lost,’” said Hines. “It’s just telling you to just hang on in there. Just hang on in there and trust God.”
Loved ones described 10-year-old Johnson as a fun, loving, outgoing kid who loved music, and the video game Fortnite, and was an aspiring YouTuber.
Coordinators of the funeral, Sharee Tucker and Tammi Evans, said Johnson had an “old soul,” and was smart, kind, and loved everyone around him.
The funeral featured shades of red and white, as those were Johnson’s favorite colors.
He leaves behind his two parents, five brothers, and two sisters.
One man and one teen have been arrested in connection with his death.
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