BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Dozens of family and friends of a 15-year-old shot and killed in Brunswick last month released balloons in honor of his birthday Tuesday.

Jerrod Foster’s family told First Coast News he would have been 16 Tuesday. Court documents show Derrick Heidt, 22, is now facing charges in Foster’s death.

Foster’s family members said he was nicknamed “Cheesy” because he was always smiling.

“Lost for words,” said Kim L., who said Jerrod called her ‘Nana.’ “We don’t understand why, but we’re trusting in God that he was ready for him to come home and be in Heaven with him. And we’re really gonna miss him. We love him.”

Brunswick Police Department is still searching for suspects after two other teenagers were shot and killed Monday: Xavier Buggs, 17, and Eric Stanley, 19.

Police Chief Angela Smith said her agency is focusing on youth violence and that they “will use every available resource to ensure accountability.” Her full statement can be found below.**

Data from the police department shows there were five homicides in the city last year and three the year before that. This year there have been at least three in just over three weeks.

Community advocates and church leaders in Brunswick are calling for change. Deacon Willetta McGowen with St. Mark’s Episcopal Church said the community is “dropping the ball” with young people and that the entire community must be involved in solving the issue to help young people have a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Theawanza Brooks said she knew one of the teenagers killed Monday. She became a community advocate after her nephew, Ahmaud Arbery, was chased down and killed in 2020 by three men who were convicted of federal hate crimes.

“It’s a great place to live. It’s just now turning into a horror story that nobody anticipated,” Brooks said. “The city is hurting because babies are young, just starting life. No parent should have to bury their child, but it’s starting to happen a little more frequently than anticipated.”

She said young people need more mentors.

“Not anybody has kind of picked up the flag and said let me run with this to keep this going and see if we can better assist and educate our young people who are going astray,” Brooks said.

Madhur Dey runs JustLove, an organization focused on racial reconciliation and unity.

“We want to influence the next generation to know that, hey, we’re all working together to see a community that has less and less tragedies that take place in such a small town,” he said.

Dey said next month they have a six-week long faith-based event focused on uniting Brunswick.

Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson said there are mentorship programs at the Boys and Girls Club and through schools in the city.

**Read Smith’s full statement here:

“Investigators are actively working to identify a suspect. As an agency, we are committed to addressing crime in our community, with a particular focus on youth violence. This behavior will not be tolerated. There are laws and consequences in place to deal with such offenses, and we will use every available resource to ensure accountability.”