Hundreds gather to remember Colorado Springs teen killed in park

Candlelight vigils are meant to unite people who are grieving, but friends of Desmond Smith are still reeling from the 14-year-old’s death.

“I still haven’t come to the conclusion that it’s real,” said one of his friends, Elseye Simon.

Their parents are left reeling, too, and trying to console their kids.

“It’s hard to be a mom. You just want to be their friend,” said parent Crystal Simon. “Hold them, comfort them, let them know that you’re there. Just be there for them.”

Smith’s death is especially hard for them to grasp. Court documents revealed earlier this week that Smith died in a confrontation over a missing cellphone just after midnight on July 18.

Most of the people gathered at North Middle School in Colorado Springs Friday night were still trying to understand it all, but it was Smith’s older brother who told the crowd he has plenty of happy times to remember.

“We had our share of laughs. We cried all of the time, those are the memories I’m going to hold onto for ever,” Smith’s brother said.

And his father cherishes the memories he will keep.

“Some people say sorry for your loss,” he said. “I thank God I gained somebody like Desmond to enjoy him for 14 years of his life.”

After the vigil, friends gathered at the area of Memorial Park where Smith was killed. They brought more balloons to a makeshift memorial and spent time reflecting as they tried to find closure.

Meanwhile, two men accused in Smith’s murder won’t be charged for another week.

Raymond Rogan, Jr. and Riccardo Kirven face first degree murder charges. They were in court Friday, but prosecutors asked for another week to file charges.