Balloons with notes of love released into the evening sky and candles flickering as family, friends and community gathered to honor a life taken too soon.

“A bright light ever since she was a baby she was a dancer and that’s my favorite thing,” said Cassandra Adams, mother of Raelynn Cameron.

Raelynn Cameron, 17 — affectionately known to many as Rae Rae — was shot in the chest Monday  while hanging with a group of teens inside a Brooklyn apartment. Police said someone may have accidentally fired the fatal shot. But Friday night was about lifting her name right outside of the Roosevelt community center, a place she knew well and loved.

“When I met her my fondest memory of her, I called her new girl, I loved the way she danced. I would shout go new girl,” said Kalea Green, friend of Cameron who says the two danced in the same group.

“This is the place she had an outlet at. This is the pace where she shared her dreams,” emphasized Adams speaking of the community center.  

Her mother said the outpouring of love and support from this community is helping the family to cope during a difficult loss. Cameron was a freshman at Medgar Evers College. Her 18th birthday was less than a week away.

“I’m so happy about all the things and well wishes, sympathy and all of the love and respect for Raelynn,” said Adams.

“She was funny! Nine out of ten she was telling jokes. She was laughing,” recalled Ralik Smith, the older brother of Cameron.

These are the joys the family is trying to hold on to and want people to remember her by, while they also pray for justice.

”I just want everybody to know I lost someone really special to me but I’m glad I was able to share her with everyone,” her mother added.