JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Family members had their arms wrapped around each other in front of the home where Ariyan Johnson, Quasean Trotter and their 11-month-old baby, Arielle were found dead.
"Whoever did this here, God got his hands on everything," Johnson's great aunt Vanessa Hampton said.
"We all are hurt right now and trying to cope," Johnson's cousin T.J. Stringfield said.
With candles burning bright in their hands, family members are walking to remember Quasean Trotter, Ariyan Johnson & their baby. Johnson's aunt tells me they are putting their trust in God @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/fEGRzVZGm7
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 14, 2017
On Thursday, the family learned from police that Johnson and Trotter were shot and killed and their baby died from smoke inhalation.
Johnson’s grandfather Mario Peterson said these new details only leave the family with more questions.
"It makes it worse now for the family, now we have somebody running around out there," Peterson said.
Family members comforting each other outside the home where their loved ones were killed @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/vMEo21ifQj
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 14, 2017
As a circle was formed and the family prayed for strength and peace, there was even a prayer of forgiveness for the person who took their loved ones away from them.
Their family has a message for whoever is responsible for their deaths.
Family formed a circle to hold hands praying to ask for strength and peace @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/5Iaj0LVMwu
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 14, 2017
“I can forgive you for what you've done, maybe it was done accidentally or maybe it was done on purpose,” Peterson said.
And they have faith that their family’s killer will be caught.
"We are just going to trust in God and let God handle this and whomever out there, you know what you did," Hampton said.
Johnson's aunt even praying for the person responsible for doing this to their family @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/YPfVwLwZbX
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 14, 2017
The family tells me they are too hurt right now to talk @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/N6roF9epwq
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 14, 2017
Family lined tea lights on the sidewalk outside the home where three family members were killed @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/P3iWjazoH6
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 14, 2017
Stuffed animals and balloons were also placed outside the house in memory of them @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/zChIKwjgrZ
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 14, 2017
Officer on scene just took down the crime scene tape that blocked off the family's home @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/anyvNw82WA
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) December 15, 2017
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