Friends Honor Slain Del City Teen With Balloon Release

Friends honor a classmate who police say was killed by his own grandfather.

It has been one week since the Del City 15-year-old was shot to death. Dozens of close friends and family of Jaquelin met up Saturday night to honor him and send up balloons symbolizing his short life.

In honor of Jaquelin Caldwell's favorite color, his friends and family grabbed the brightest blue balloons and wrote special messages on the tags.

"He was like a brother to me. We've been best friend's 2nd grade," said Jaquelin's best friend, Skyler Russell.

Russell says he's still in shock that he'll never see his best friend again. He and his family made shirts and organized a special balloon release for Jaquelin at Del City's Ray Trent Park.

"He was funny. He was smart. He was a great kid. He also was a great dancer. He was good in basketball and everything," Russell said.

3/23/2014 Related Story: Del City Grandfather Accused Of Killing Grandson

It was last Friday night, when Del City Police arrested 56-year-old Lochinvar Caldwell for allegedly shooting and killing Jaquelin earlier that day inside their home on Eagle Drive. Officers said he acted delusional and went on a violent rampage, assaulting neighbors as he was naked.

Jaquelin's mother broke down in tears. It was her father who took the life of her only son.

"It hurts. It hurts. It feels like a piece of your soul is just is gone," said Jaquelin's mother, Tameka Caldwell.

Support poured in from the Del City community as people dropped off donations and signed a shirt for Jaquelin that is to be laid in his coffin.

After a word of prayer the group released the balloons into the deep blue sky.

"Remember how beautiful he was, because he was a beautiful soul," said Caldwell.

The Family does have a fund set up in Jaquelin's name at Howard Harris Funeral Services.

Jaquelin will be laid to rest on Thursday. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. at Community Lighthouse Church in Oklahoma City.

3/25/2014 Related Story: Family: Del City Man Thought Grandson Was Possessed Prior To Killing