Family and friends of 19-year-old Joshua Proutey paid their respects at the Cleveland Community Church.
Joshua's mother Patty Proutey said the more than 100 people who came in and out of the church reminded her of the days during her son's life.
"Our door was a revolving door, and we had children in and out of our door constantly, and this is no different," said Proutey.
But now visitors through that revolving door will no longer be for Joshua. According to prosecutors, he left his job and was heading to his car after working an event at the Community Arts Center in downtown Wilmington last Thursday night when four people approached and demand his wallet and anything else of value.
Proutey handed over his wallet, but was then shot in the head.
Four people are charged with first-degree murder in the case. They are Jasmine Nikole Dottin, 19, Christopher Daniel Cromartie, 23, Quintel Raheem Grady, 22, and Daniel Henry, 17. Three of the four suspects are being held without bond.
Proutey's father spoke with ABC11 Wednesday.
"I would like to thank Detective Fox and the Wilmington Police Department for their diligence in the apprehension of those responsible for my son's death. I would also like to thank the staff at the Performing Arts Center and community for their support," Don Proutey said.
Prosecutors in Wilmington called Proutey's death "senseless." And that the suspects went to downtown Wilmington with the intention of looking for people to rob.
But the senseless details surrounding his death were not the focus for those who came to the Cleveland Community Church.
"I'm going to focus on Joshua's life and I'm going to celebrate Joshua's life and if Joshua was here he would say 'Mom, we're going to have a big party,'" said Patty Proutey.
Joshua graduated from West Johnston High School just last year. He was taking classes at Cape Fear Community College with plans to join the Marine Corps.
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