FLORIDA, NY – A vigil was held in the Town of Florida on Friday night in honor of the two teenagers murdered.
13-year-old Jonathan DeJesus and 16-year-old Paul Damphiere were found dead from gunshot wounds in a wooded area off Snooks Corners Road.
On Friday night, hundreds of people gathered for a vigil to remember DeJesus and Damphiere.
The candlelight vigil was held at Veterans Park. The vigil was the first step in what will be a very long healing process.
DeJesus' aunt Laura Lewis says, "He was such a happy kid, he was a good person."
Damphiere's cousin Cory Chairey-Lions led the vigil. Chairey-Lions reminded everyone there are actually four Amsterdam families in pieces.
Chairey-Lions explains, "Four families are ruined, four families are in a crisis, four families have lost their sons, all boys."
Two teenagers have been arrested for allegedly killing DeJesus and Damphiere. One of the suspects, 16-year-old Anthony Brasmiester appeared in court on Saturday for arraignment. The other suspect is a 15-year-old male and is being charged as a juvenile.
Bramiester's family appeared in court with the teen but declined to comment.
NEWS10 spoke with Brasmiester's attorney who says, "Overall I think they are in a state of shock quite frankly, two days ago their son was running around enjoying the summer, now he's the subject of all this media attention and the allegations themselves."
As for the community, they are just trying to understand how something like this could happen. Family members say the vigil will not be a one-time thing. They plan to have this vigil once a year to remember these teenagers.
The DeJesus and Damphiere families have set up donation websites to help fund for funeral expenses.
To donate for DeJesus click here.
To donate for Damphiere click here.
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