One voice was missing Thursday night at a balloon release in Alexander City — Toiyas Gopher, better known as ‘Mukie’ for his parents and family and ‘Yayyo’ if you were a friend.
Gopher was killed in a home invasion on Saturday but his memory and how he touched those who he loved was evident at the gathering and balloon release Thursday night organized by Jha’nek Kelley.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Cars lined Glenhaven Drive Thursday evening as members of the community came to remember Toiyas Gopher.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Friends and family of Toiyas Gopher came to a balloon release organized by Jha’nek Kelley, right. They prayed for peace and justice surrounding the death of Gopher who many know as Mukie or Yayyo.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI A family friend of Toiyas Gopher sings at a balloon release in Gopher’s memory.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Jha’nek Kelley, a close friend of Toiyas Gopher, holds balloons at aThursday event she planned. To Kelley, Gopher was Yayyo. To Gopher’s parents and close family he was known as Mukie.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI A friend consoles Jha’nek Kelley, right, while singing at balloon release remembering Toiyas Gopher who was shot Saturday morning.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family and friends of Toiyas Gopher release balloons in his memory Thursday evening.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family and friends of Toiyas Gopher release balloons in his memory Thursday evening.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family of Toiyas Gopher video balloons released in his memory Thursday night. Some of the balloons did not separate and a friend said it was Gopher telling the family and friends ‘Y’all Stick Together.’
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family and friends hug after a balloon release as they remembered Toiyas Gopher Thursday.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Cars lined Glenhaven Drive Thursday evening as members of the community came to remember Toiyas Gopher.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Friends and family of Toiyas Gopher came to a balloon release organized by Jha’nek Kelley, right. They prayed for peace and justice surrounding the death of Gopher who many know as Mukie or Yayyo.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI A family friend of Toiyas Gopher sings at a balloon release in Gopher’s memory.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Jha’nek Kelley, a close friend of Toiyas Gopher, holds balloons at aThursday event she planned. To Kelley, Gopher was Yayyo. To Gopher’s parents and close family he was known as Mukie.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI A friend consoles Jha’nek Kelley, right, while singing at balloon release remembering Toiyas Gopher who was shot Saturday morning.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family and friends of Toiyas Gopher release balloons in his memory Thursday evening.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family and friends of Toiyas Gopher release balloons in his memory Thursday evening.
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family of Toiyas Gopher video balloons released in his memory Thursday night. Some of the balloons did not separate and a friend said it was Gopher telling the family and friends ‘Y’all Stick Together.’
PHOTOS: Balloon release honors memory of Toiyas Gopher
Cliff Williams / TPI Family and friends hug after a balloon release as they remembered Toiyas Gopher Thursday.
