A vigil was held on Tuesday night in memory of 16-year-old Amiere Hayes.

Police say Hayes was shot and killed in Bed-Stuy on Monday.  

His family says he grew up in the area and was a beloved member of the community, with good grades and dreams of becoming a college basketball player.  

"He was growing up as a young, intelligent black man only 16 and he didn’t deserve this at all. He was a great kid," said J.B., Amiere's cousin.

Dozens of family members and friends of the Hayes family released balloons in front of Amiere's childhood home. Hayes was the youngest of three children and was close to his mother, especially because the Hayes family lost their father just a few months ago.  

Candles now sit outside of 126 Marcus Garvey Blvd. in memory of the 16-year-old.