Saying goodbye is never easy. 

“Long live Chris," yelled a crowd of a few hundred people gathered at Round Lake Park in Oviedo.

  • Vigil honored Chris Johnson in Oviedo
  • Johnson was hit by a car over the weekend
  • Some 300 people came to the vigil

Everyone there came dressed in red in memory of Chris Johnson, 16.

"I love him, I love him, I love him, I love him, I love him," said Johnson's mother Lakiesha Johnson. 

Chris was hit by a van Saturday and later died from his injuries. For the teen's surviving family, 16 years was just not enough.

"I was just with him," said Demarco Jarrett, crying. "And the last thing he told me was ‘Love you bro.’ That is the last thing he told me."

The crash happened on Chinaberry Ave. and Harrison St. in Oviedo. A little wooden cross sits at the spot now. 

Many of the details surrounding the teen's death are still unknown.  

“Whoever this person is, this young man is, you need to come forth. I don’t care what the situation is, I don’t care what happened, you need to make peace with yourself and come in," said Janice Jarrett, Chris' grandmother.

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and doesn’t believe Chris' death was random. But three days later, no one has been arrested. So far, only a person of interest has been questioned.

“I couldn’t believe it, me and her were both in shock," said Alexa-Rae Garcia and Lauren Ramos, friends of Chris.

Both girls describe Chris as extremely kind.

"He was always really happy, really always laughing and always making sure were OK, it was really nice," said Garcia. 

Monday night, actions spoke even louder than the kind words though, when close to 300 people participated in the vigil. 

"We consider you all family. You are family," said Lakiesha. 

Arm in arm and with sad hearts, the group decided not to mourn Chris, but to celebrate a soul taken too soon.

"So let’s make a joyful noise for Christoper," exclaimed Jarrett.

"Christopher!" yelled the crowd as they released balloons into the evening sky.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.