RACINE -- Remembering Vista Jackson. Jackson was killed on Thursday, September 10th and a young classmate is behind bars, accused of killing her. Saturday, September 12th friends, family and strangers filled the streets for a vigil to remember 14-year-old Jackson as a vibrant girl that was taken too soon.
Vista Jackson
At Albert and Marquette, the sound of music echoes through a street lined with candles filled with small memorials and mourner's tears.
"It's so hard because I'm her only brother," said Jonathon Bogan, Jackson's brother.
Loved ones come together in a spot that saw tragedy days earlier.
"I never ever would think one of my sisters would die on me at such a young age. When I first heard it I didn't believe it. I thought it was a joke...it wasn't a joke," said Bogan.
Close to 24 hours, police searched for 14-year-old Keller Mcquay and Friday night, he was arrested in connection to Jackson's death.
Keller Mcquay
"As far as killing her(shakes head) they were talking about marriage," said David Williams, Mcquay's stepfather.
The suspect's stepfather says the two were dating. He is insisting the entire incident was an accident.
"It was not intentional and there's a lot to it," said Williams.
But mourners disagree, they describe Jackson as a bright light.
"We all gotta die one day, but I just didn't think it would be this soon," said Bogan.
Family remembers her short life and are hopeful they can start to heal -- even at a time when it seems impossible.
"This situation right here makes me want to leave everything alone," said Bogan.
Mcquay was arrested for first degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon. He's being held in the Racine Juvenile Detention Center.
