'Innocent children are dying’: Candlelight vigil canceled for 3-year-old killed in Pine Hills shooting over fear of violence

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A candlelight vigil planned for Thursday night for a 3-year-old boy who deputies say was shot and killed in a gang-related shooting in Pine Hills on Tuesday was cancelled.

Investigators said Daquane Felix Jr., 3, died in a targeted retaliation drive-by shooting. Sheriff John Mina said he believes the shooting was gang-related.

READ: $5K reward offered after 3 children shot, 2 killed in separate gang-related shootings this week, sheriff says

“I really don’t think you can wrap your mind around it. It’s like, innocent children are dying,” family friend Sainthia Timeau said.

Orange County deputies said they believe they know which gangs are involved in the shootings and are offering a $5,000 reward for tips in the case.

Family friends said they postponed the vigil after hearing rumors of another shooting nearby. Deputies said that was only a rumor and that no shots were fired, but the family decided to hold off anyway due to the ongoing violence.

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Pine Hills shooting Investigators said Daquane Felix Jr., 3, died in a targeted retaliation drive-by shooting. Bullet holes now riddle his family's Pine Hills home. (WFTV Staff)

“Our message to those responsible tonight is to remember that this is our community and this week it might be this family, but you have to remember that if this continues, it will be your family the next week," said Bishop Kelvin Cobaris, a pastor at Impact Church.

The vigil was planned for 6:30 p.m. at Clear Lake Park. Channel 9 will update this story when a due date and time is planned.