SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The family of a murdered teen held a celebration of life ceremony for him on what would have been his 18th birthday.

Semaj Floyd was shot and killed in early December of 2023 near the intersection of Amaranth and Perth Streets. He was only 16 at the time.

Today, friends and family came together at Summerside Park to honor his life. People joined in a ceremonial balloon release in honor of his legacy.

Semaj’s great-grandfather Christopher Floyd said, “We choose to celebrate his life because we don’t want to see his life go in vain. We feel that the Lord is in charge of everything. You know, when they bring us in, when they take us out. So I don’t feel that. I feel that everyone else should benefit from his legacy of living. He was all about living. He was good to his family, friends and comrades. So therefore, we should celebrate his legacy rather than mourning.”

Three people have been indicted on murder charges for the shooting deaths Semaj Floyd and 20-year-old Omarion Whitfield.