Tristan Taylor’s family and friends gathered for a balloon release in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood to honor his memory as police investigate the 18-year-old’s death.On the count of seven, Taylor’s favorite number, balloons were released into the sky as people in the crowd said, “We love you, Tristan.””To physically have people show up today for Tristan — I pray I get to go to sleep tonight and I sleep good because I needed this,” said Taylor’s mother, Jokima Brown.Brown said she was walking home with her 18-year-old son last week on Wilner Drive in East Hills when he was shot after an argument with another teen in the street.”I would be worried because he used to work at the Omni hotel downtown, and I’m like, those takeover kids, they’re not around? And he was like, ‘Oh, if they were, I move around.’ I’m like, ‘Good, son, don’t feed into it.’ He was a great kid,” Brown said.Taylor had recently graduated with honors from Allderdice High School, worked at the Omni William Penn Hotel, and was headed to Community College of Allegheny County in the fall.”I just want to say that Tristan was like a hero to me and my family. If anything happens, he would fix it,” Taylor’s sister said.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelAt the request of Brown, Pittsburgh police officers were present at the event to ensure everyone’s safety.”I was a little worried, I’m not going to lie, only because of the neighborhood and they might be mad that I’ve been speaking out, but I don’t care because I’m going to speak out,” Brown said. “But I just did not want anybody else innocent to be involved in that.”Brown vowed to keep fighting for justice until the suspect is caught.”I know it’s going to be a long process, but I’m just ready to hear that they have him. That is going to be like the lottery,” she said. Now, Brown is preparing for her son’s funeral, which she calls his “graduation to heaven.” “I love you so much, Tristan. I pray I’m making you proud. Mommy loves you,” Brown said.Pittsburgh police have not made any arrests in the shooting. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact them.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

Tristan Taylor’s family and friends gathered for a balloon release in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood to honor his memory as police investigate the 18-year-old’s death.

On the count of seven, Taylor’s favorite number, balloons were released into the sky as people in the crowd said, “We love you, Tristan.”

“To physically have people show up today for Tristan — I pray I get to go to sleep tonight and I sleep good because I needed this,” said Taylor’s mother, Jokima Brown.

Brown said she was walking home with her 18-year-old son last week on Wilner Drive in East Hills when he was shot after an argument with another teen in the street.

“I would be worried because he used to work at the Omni hotel downtown, and I’m like, those takeover kids, they’re not around? And he was like, ‘Oh, if they were, I move around.’ I’m like, ‘Good, son, don’t feed into it.’ He was a great kid,” Brown said.

Taylor had recently graduated with honors from Allderdice High School, worked at the Omni William Penn Hotel, and was headed to Community College of Allegheny County in the fall.

“I just want to say that Tristan was like a hero to me and my family. If anything happens, he would fix it,” Taylor’s sister said.

Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

At the request of Brown, Pittsburgh police officers were present at the event to ensure everyone’s safety.

“I was a little worried, I’m not going to lie, only because of the neighborhood and they might be mad that I’ve been speaking out, but I don’t care because I’m going to speak out,” Brown said. “But I just did not want anybody else innocent to be involved in that.”

Brown vowed to keep fighting for justice until the suspect is caught.

“I know it’s going to be a long process, but I’m just ready to hear that they have him. That is going to be like the lottery,” she said.

Now, Brown is preparing for her son’s funeral, which she calls his “graduation to heaven.”

“I love you so much, Tristan. I pray I’m making you proud. Mommy loves you,” Brown said.

Pittsburgh police have not made any arrests in the shooting. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact them.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.