A grieving community gathered Thursday night to honor the life of 13-year-old Alan Martinez, also known as Reuben, who was fatally shot last week in what police say was a gang-related attack.

Around 9 p.m., friends, family, and neighbors held a candlelight vigil near the intersection of Whispering Palms Trail and Mission Indian Trail, the site of the deadly shooting. Roughly 40 people attended, bringing candles, crosses, and mementos to create a makeshift memorial.

Martinez’s mother, Bernize Manrriquez, said the gathering was meant to promote unity and call for an end to violence in the community. “This is about bringing people together and making sure no other family has to go through this,” she told mourners.

Police said Martinez was shot after a confrontation with a group of people in a passing car. The suspects sped off immediately after the shooting.

Two teenagers, 18-year-old Christian Milward and 19-year-old James Carter, have since been charged with Martinez’s murder. Both appeared in court Friday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Authorities confirmed the shooting was gang-related, raising alarm about the young ages of both the suspects and the victim. Investigators also revealed that Martinez was already affiliated with a gang at the time of his death.

Police urged parents to remain vigilant, warning that gangs are targeting children at increasingly younger ages.

The case is now with the District Attorney’s Office, which officials say has strong evidence to move forward with prosecution.