By james art A vigil was held for 13-year-old Braylen Hardy. He was hit by a driver fleeing the scene of a shooting in Birmingham and died a few days later.
In a sea of blue and black balloons, family, friends, coaches and teammates showed up to remember Hardy. For the boy with the brightest smile.
“Braylon was one of those guys who brought life to the court. I mean, every time you were down and you looked at Braylon, he was always smiling,” said Joseph Hill, one of Hardy’s coaches.
His team signed a basketball to give to his family. Gregory Quinney, one of Braylen’s coaches, said the loss didn’t just leave an empty spot on the court.
“We were a family and they all play together, train together. The fact that they are losing a member of their family is quite difficult for them, but they are trying to get through it.”
Together they released their balloons and chanted “Long Live Bray Bray!”
His mother, holding tightly to 13 white balloons for the 13 years she had with her son.
“My sister was in pain every minute, every hour, and the pain in her voice did something to me. I have to be strong for her,” Brylen’s aunt said. April Lacey.
The driver fled the scene after the crash. He was apprehended just a few blocks away. The driver has not yet been charged.