Thursday, August 23, 2012
YOUNGSTOWN
Bryce Linebaugh’s tragically brief life, ended by a gunman’s bullet, was celebrated with tears and prayers, raised candles and a verse of “Amazing Grace” at a candlelight vigil in his honor Thursday.
Bryce, 8, was shot in the head early Monday while he slept in the top portion of his bunk bed in an upstairs bedroom of his home at 1404 Maplewood Court in Rockford Village on the city’s East Side.
“He was an amazing, beautiful boy who was so full of life. He didn’t deserve this. He was asleep in his bed,” said Bryce’s mother, Jessica Linebaugh, after the vigil ended.
Jessica and her boyfriend, Thomas Hight Jr., and her other children, Jayvon Harris, 4, and daughter, Aniah Harris, 5, stood silently for some time in front of the patio of their former home holding lighted candles.
A crowd of about 200 mourners began gathering in front of 1404 Maplewood Court at about 9 p.m. Jessica, Jayvon, Aniah and Hight arrived later after calling hours at Lane Funeral Home in Mineral Ridge.
Wearing a shirt with the words printed on it: R.I.P Bryce. Hug him once for me,” Jessica thanked everybody for coming to the vigil.
“It means a lot to me. It shows that you cared about my baby and that he will live on through you.
“He was only eight, but it shows how many people he touched. He was so smart ... the most amazing little boy,” she said.
For the complete story and photos of tonight's event, read Friday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.