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Family members of 16-year-old Duane Sheldon Hopkins Jr. of Temple Hills, who was found shot dead the morning of Feb. 3, gathered Friday to not only celebrate the young man's life but also to speak out against community violence residents say is plaguing local youth.

Nearly 200 friends, relative and neighbors gathered on the lawn of First Baptist Church of District Heights, three days after Hopkins, known to friends as DJ, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds outside a Temple Hills home.

"Senseless violence is killing our community," said Suitland High School's principal, Mark Fossett.

DJ's mother, Tracy Hopkins of Temple Hills, told the crowd she believes someone knows who killed her son and asked students to come forward to police with information.

"Too many young people don't speak up, because they feel there is going to be retaliation," said family friend Kim Grant.

DJ wasn't always the perfect student, or son, but he was turning his life around, Tracy Hopkins said.

"He made some mistakes, but he bounced back," she said. A sign of his metamorphosis, DJ was recently placed on the honor roll, a big change from a history of receiving straight Es on his report card and a short stint in jail, his mother said.

As those close to DJ spoke for more than an hour, the crowd circled in closer, and lit candles, as memories were exchanged and tears turned to laughter.

DJ, one of five children, was described by many as a charming boy with a great smile, who was close with family and had a deep relationship with God.

"I didn't think I could smile anymore, but I am smiling now," said his father, Duane Hopkins Sr.

Tracy Hopkins spoke about her only son's responsible nature, starting a business tending yards to make some extra money.

Prince George's County police are continuing their investigation and do not have a suspect, police spokeswoman Erica Johnson said Monday.

Neighbors failed to notify police they heard gunshots around 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, according to a statement from police, and Tracy Hopkins said, some neighbors saw DJ being chased down the street that night, just blocks from his 20th Place home.

However, no one called police until 7 a.m. the next day, when a Gaither Street resident discovered his body.

"He was laying in the snow bleeding to death," Tracy Hopkins said.

She said she has no room for hate in her heart and has forgiven the person who did this to her son. She only hopes the violence stops before its kills another young man, she said.

"I know how it is, you want to be cool," DJ's uncle, Jeff Hopkins, said to the crowd of students, "but you don't realize the value of life."

DJ's funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Community Center of Hope in Iverson Mall in Temple Hills.