It seems as though the weather matched the emotions expressed at Warner Robins CME Church Monday morning.
Family members packed the church to mourn the death of 8-year-old Jai'Mel Anderson.
"I know it's a hard time for us, but we is a family and we try to pray and stay together as a family," said Anderson's cousin David Williams.
He says he understands how the child's parents are feeling.
"I have a son. And he's a young guy, and it would tear my heart apart to see my son die a senseless death," Williams said.
A program from a family member, shows Anderson's smiling face during happier times.
"He was a sweet child. Beautiful little child. He played football with my grandbaby," said Mary Sanders, a distant relative.
She says Jai'Mel's death is difficult to understand.
"It is so hard, especially an innocent child, you know, if it was an older person it might be different, but this is a baby and it's hard to say good bye," Sanders said.
For Williams, Anderson's death is more than unfair, it's a wake-up call.
"I pray that the family will do well, but we need to do something about these killings going on in and out of our communities," he said, "Too many of our youths is dying too early for no reason."
Jai' Mel was a third grader at Westside Elementary School in Warner Robins.
Family members say his love of football landed him on an all-star team.
