Candlelight Vigil Held to Remember Butler High Student Killed

MATTHEWS, N.C. – Hundreds gathered at Butler High School on Monday night to light candles and release balloons for 16-year-old Bobby McKeithen. The sophomore was gunned down, police say, by fellow student Jatwan Cuffie.

“He was a good kid, he was a really nice kid,” says friend and classmate Jordan Jackson.

“You had an altercation and then you’re just gonna pull a gun because you’re upset and you lost? I really don’t know how to perceive this,” Jackson says.

Blake Elizalde watched as officers carried McKeithen from the building.

“We’re coming together. We’re showing love for who he killed and I think love is, we’re trying to show love is more powerful than his hate,” Elizalde says.

He’s horrified to think about those in the hallway when it happened.

“No students should have to watch their fellow classmate be gunned down or be shot or be put in that situation,” he says.