Missouri State freshman Richard Nelson was shot and killed in his hometown, Las Vegas, when, according to police, he saw his sister being attacked and jumped in to try to protect her.
According to KSPR, a mother and son have since been charged in Nelson’s shooting.
The Missouri State University community came together on Sunday to celebrate his life and mourn his passing in a gathering at the Student Union Theatre.
“He was a wonderful kid; he always made me laugh too. I mean, he was always trying to prove himself to me, but he never had to. He was always good in my eyes. He was always the best. Everything he did, he always did it to the best,” his mother, Roxanne Bruce said.