Tristan Rael did not often open up to others, but when he did, it was special.

“He was such a quiet kid, but you could tell when he was having fun, and if he did talk to you then you knew you were a part of his trusted group,” said family friend Leah Valdez.

The 7-year-old loved to build in Minecraft and play with Valdez’s daughter after school at King Elementary. She said despite not often using words, Tristan was “smart and funny,” playing harmless pranks on his friends and family.

Now, Valdez and other family friends are planning a community candlelight vigil in remembrance of Tristan’s young life in the wake of devastating news.

The boy and his father, Christopher Rael, were both found dead from gunshot wounds in what police are considering a murder-suicide on the early morning of Friday, April 12. The Colorado Springs Homicide Unit is currently investigating.

Valdez said that the deaths leave Tristan’s mother, Geneva Martinez, and her two adult children.

“They’re devastated,” she said. “I just can’t even imagine.”

The vigil is set to take place at Keystone Park on April 19 at 7:10 p.m. Valdez said the event is to remember Tristan’s life and to show neighborhood support for Martinez.

“She lost everything in a moment, and we want her to feel supported in the community so she can come home,” Valdez said.

A GoFundMe to support the family can be found here.