Vigil held for teen killed walking to school

Family members and friends of a 15-year-old murder victim came together Friday night to remember him.


The vigil was held where the shooting happened, on Waldo Street near Boone High School.
Orange County deputies say Alejandro “Alex” Vargas Martinez was walking to school Tuesday morning when he was shot and killed.


Friday night, Martinez’s mother attended the vigil with several family members. They gathered around a memorial that's been growing at the scene.


“It’s been very hard. It’s been very hard but we’re supporting each other,” said Alex Martinez’s aunt, Dolka Martinez.


Pastor Tyron Browder, who was Martinez’s eighth grade math teacher, led the candle lit crowd in prayer.


“Just always had a smile on his face,” Browder said about Martinez. “He affected everybody that he came into contact with in a positive way so that makes it doubly difficult to understand how something like this could happen.”


Investigators have released surveillance video of a vehicle of interest, but no one has been arrested.
“Everyone’s just been broken and upset. A lot of kids, ever since we found out about it, a lot of kids haven’t been going to school. They’ve been staying at home,” said Delaney Gainey, Martinez’s friend and classmate at Boone HS.


Martinez’s family was grateful so many people showed up to pay their respects. They’re hopeful that a break in the case will come soon. Right now, there’s a $10,000 reward.


“I hope there is an answer soon. I know there’s going to be justice for Ale’,” Dolka Martinez said.