BOERUM HILL, Brooklyn (PIX 11) — Friends and family came together to honor the life of Kenneth Casilla at the Wyckoff Community Center with live performances, a fashion show, and a message of hope against gun violence.

The event comes just days before the 13th anniversary of Casilla’s death after he was gunned down in a car in Miami on March 23rd, 2013. His mother, Yvette Ramos, has been fighting to combat gun violence here at home ever since.

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“It’s a feeling that I can’t explain, and keeping his memory alive and being able to give back to the community, it’s really good for me,” Ramos said.

Gun violence interrupters with the organization Life Camp have made it their mission to do outreach work in the community, helping residents see that violence is never the answer.

“It plagues our community in particular — black and brown communities,” said John Robinson of Life Camp. “So, we have to be able to be more efficient in what we’re doing with the guns, and its other ways to solve problems besides a fatal situation.”

The gathering was about more than remembrance, but making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Casilla’s family said they distributed thousands of dollars’ worth of food to families in need with the help of Amazon — an initiative led by his sister Giavanna.

“I wanted to do an event to give back to my community,” Giavanna said.

She added, “Keeping his name alive — it matters because he used to do the same thing that I’m doing right now so I’m following after his legacy.”

Through this event, the family aims to create a positive impact and help reduce gun violence.

“You don’t have to pick up a gun,” said Ramos. “Talk it out. We got hands. Walk away.”

For loved ones, the fight to end gun violence won’t stop here as they carry on Casilla’s legacy and work to create change in their community.

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