ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - A community gathered together Sunday night to show their support for the family of a young boy killed in a fire last week.
Police say 62 year old Aaron Dishong set an apartment building on fire Thursday morning. Three year old Darrel Etchison Jr. was killed in that fire. Police believe Dishong was trying to kill his ex-girlfriend he thought was staying there, but she wasn't.
Sunday night people that knew the family and some people that had never met them, got together to show their support. And it meant the world to Darrel's sister who showed up during the vigil.
Dozens of people stood together outside the Altoona apartment building. The pillars that are stained with smoke are now surrounded with stuffed animals. People sang hymns, held candles, and each other remembering the three year old boy who died in the fire.
Caline Etchison came out to thank a community for remembering her little brother. She said the support is more than they expected and her family is grateful for everything of people are doing for them.
Justin McGeary organized the vigil. He has a three year old son of his own as well. He says he couldn't imagine losing him, so he wanted to show the Etchison family that people in the community really do care.
Caline says her family knows it now, and Darrel knows it too. She says she also knows Darrel will be with her family in spirit forever.
The boy's mother is still in a coma in a Pittsburgh hospital. The family will start finalizing funeral arrangements for Darrel Monday.
Police say 62 year old Aaron Dishong set an apartment building on fire Thursday morning. Three year old Darrel Etchison Jr. was killed in that fire. Police believe Dishong was trying to kill his ex-girlfriend he thought was staying there, but she wasn't.
Sunday night people that knew the family and some people that had never met them, got together to show their support. And it meant the world to Darrel's sister who showed up during the vigil.
Dozens of people stood together outside the Altoona apartment building. The pillars that are stained with smoke are now surrounded with stuffed animals. People sang hymns, held candles, and each other remembering the three year old boy who died in the fire.
Caline Etchison came out to thank a community for remembering her little brother. She said the support is more than they expected and her family is grateful for everything of people are doing for them.
Justin McGeary organized the vigil. He has a three year old son of his own as well. He says he couldn't imagine losing him, so he wanted to show the Etchison family that people in the community really do care.
Caline says her family knows it now, and Darrel knows it too. She says she also knows Darrel will be with her family in spirit forever.
The boy's mother is still in a coma in a Pittsburgh hospital. The family will start finalizing funeral arrangements for Darrel Monday.
