A growing vigil now sits outside of 909 Livonia Ave, where 16-year-old Marquise Byfield was shot and killed inside a deli.

Dozens of his friends spent hours at the vigil, remembering the teen who had so much life ahead of him. 

Residents in the area say the story of teens like him, at the center of gun violence, is becoming too familiar. 

While lighting candles and writing personal messages to Byfield, his friends say it still feels unreal – to know their friend was gunned down inside a store. 

His mother, who told News 12 she is not yet ready to speak on camera, is still at a loss for words. 

Workers at the deli where the teen was killed say that when he walked into the store that Friday, he did not appear to be in danger. The shooter walked in right behind him.

It wasn't until the two were already a few steps in the store when the pair appeared to argue, then suddenly shots were fired. 

Off camera, witnesses say they wish that help had arrived on the scene a lot sooner. 

Police have not yet identified a suspect. Sources tell News 12 that the shooter may have been around the same age as Byfield.