The East Austin community came together Tuesday night to remember the life of Draylen Mason -- the teen killed the morning of March 12 after opening an explosive package in his kitchen.
East Austin College Prep Secondary School (MLK Campus), the school Mason attended before his death, scheduled a candlelight vigil for Mason at 6:30 p.m Tuesday, March 27.
According to a Facebook post by the school, organizers asked attendees not to bring their own candles or flammable items. Instead, organizers said the school would provide candles.
“I remember the first time I saw him. He was this kid just playing the bass but I also didn’t know I was going to become an amazing friend to him,” said Fatima Cisneros, a friend of Mason's.
“It’s still hard right now I still in denial. I just can’t believe this happened to him,” Lucerito Gonzalez added.
WATCH THE VIGIL HERE (Skip to 18:00 minutes in):
At the age of 17, Mason was the youngest victim killed or hurt by one of the violent devices dropped around Austin throughout the month of March. His mother was only injured in the blast and is recovering, according to family members.
“I just want them to celebrate Draylen and just to remember him for being this intelligent enthusiastic and incredibly funny guy,” Jazmin Lopez said.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler and APD Interim Police Chief Brian Manley were in attendance, as well.
Mason was an avid musician who played string bass for the Austin Soundwaves through the Hispanic Alliance and for the Austin Youth Orchestra.
According to J.B. Bird, the Director of Media Relations at the University of Texas, the Butler School of Music in UT Austin’s College of Fine Arts in Music Performance accepted Mason into its program.
Last Friday, Mason and the other bombing victims, Anthony House, Esperanza "Hope" Herrera, and two unidentified men in their 20s, were honored at a candlelight vigil in Pflugerville.
For more information on KVUE's coverage of the Austin explosions investigations, GO HERE.