Nearly 100 people gathered for a vigil to celebrate the life of a 13-year-old who was shot as she was walking alongside her twin in Montgomery, Alabama.

According to the Montgomery Advertiser, community members gathered on Wednesday to remember Ceyeria Lee, who was killed on her way to dance practice with her twin sister, Keyeria, when they made a stop at Oak Park. Andie Dollerson, the father of the twins' nephew, pulled out a gun in jest and shot Ceyeria in the heart on Monday.

Ashley Lee, the twins' mother, spoke at the candlelight vigil in the park where her daughter was killed and revealed what she knew about the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death.

"He was just playin'," she said to the crowd. "He thought he was being cool."

Before aiming the gun at Ceyeria's heart, the 17-year-old unloaded the magazine. When he pulled the trigger, he forgot that there was a bullet in the chamber, Ashley said.

The bullet pierced the girl's heart, and medics responding to the 911 call said they found Ceyeria with a life-threatening wound, Alabama News Network reports. She later died from her injuries at a local hospital.

Montgomery police announced they arrested Dollerson in connection to the shooting on Monday evening, per AL.com. Police Capt. Saba Coleman said Dollerson is being held on a charge of manslaughter. Court records state the shooting was the result of reckless behavior, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

Dollerson is being held in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said he was saddened by the loss of Ceyeria's young life and by the culture of violence plaguing the city. The 13-year-old's death was the city's 43rd homicide case of the year. She's also the youngest homicide victim in the city this year.

"That 13-year-old girl shouldn't be dead because she was going to a dance practice, but the teenager that killed her isn't the sole person responsible," Reed said. "A lot of it has to do with the culture in this city and that's a culture all of us have a role to play and all of us can have some impact in improving."

To help with funeral expenses, Ashley started a GoFundMe campaign. She described the call she received about her daughter's death as one “no parent ever wants to get” and anguished at the reality that she’ll have to plan a funeral so close to her daughters' birthday.

“She was so energetic and so happy all the time. She was my Best friend,” the mother wrote. “And due to someone being [reckless] with a gun she's [now] gone home at 13 to be with Jesus. Her bday is on the 29th of this month and now instead of me putting together a party im gonna have to plan a funeral.”

For more information on how you can donate to Ceyeria’s funeral, click here.

Ceyeria-Lee

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week