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Caldwell County community heartbroken over shooting deaths of two teens, hold vigil to commemorate them

Klayton Manning, 18, and his cousin, Landin Robinson, 16, were shot and killed by an Austin man, sheriff's deputies say.

AUSTIN, Texas — Luling residents mourned the shooting deaths of Klayton Manning, 18, and Landin Robinson, 16, on Sunday.  

Family and friends gathered for a vigil honoring their memories. Longer Park in Luling was packed with family and friends sharing stories about them.

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office said an Austin man, Bryan Haynes, shot and killed Manning and Robinson near Tenney Creek Road in Caldwell County. The sheriff's office said Haynes thought "aliens" were chasing him on an ATV when he fired his gun several times. 

Deputies arrested Haynes on Thursday. 

"[Manning] knows no stranger. It doesn't matter who it is ... he's going to help them out," said Chief Jack Musick, Southeast Caldwell County Volunteer Department. 

RELATED: 34-year-old Austin man claims he was chased by 'aliens' before allegedly shooting, killing 2 in Caldwell Co.

Credit: Mari Salazar, KVUE
Credit: Mari Salazar, KVUE

The family at the vigil said the two teenagers were inseparable when they were together. 

Manning had just graduated from Luling High School with dreams of becoming a firefighter. He got his start volunteering with the Southeast Caldwell County Fire Department, and Chief Musick said he was a giant teddy bear. 

"[Manning] was a super firefighter. Gung-ho. Ready to go first to the station. First to the scene. Just ready to go. We were actually going to send him to the Texas A&M fire academy," said Musick. 

"He would always go in the hallway. He would come in your classroom. He never left school without giving me a hug and it was always, 'Goodbye Momma Musick,'" said Teresa Musick, Manning's former teacher.

Credit: KVUE
Landin Dawson Robinson

Robinson grew up in the San Marcos area, but lived in Ohio and was visiting family in Luling. Family and friends who spoke on Sunday said Robinson's personality was just as infectious as Manning's. 

"Especially with his smile and his fun-loving attitude," said one family member on Sunday. 

The community members said it's a tough loss for the entire town, but the tragedy has brought them closer. 

"A day will not go by when I won't think about him," said Teresa Musick.

The Southeast Caldwell County Volunteer Fire Department posted on Facebook: 

"SECCVFD will be escorting Klayton & his cousin back from Austin to Luling on Monday June 15th we will leave Austin 10 am sharp and arrive in Luling around 11:30 am. Please line up through Luling and surrounding areas to welcome these boys home! Both boys will have their final code3 response."

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