CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — An Urbana family is left with only memories and pictures of their son, brother and grandson. 

“What am I going to miss the most? Waking up to my son,” grandfather Tyno Wicks said. “That’s what I miss the most.”

The Champaign County Coroner identified 7-year-old DJ Wicks as a victim of Saturday’s shooting. It happened near Lanore Drive and Washington Street in Urbana. 

Police said DJ was killed alongside 43-year-old Melvin Braxton. They don’t think it was a random act of violence and said they believe the shooting stemmed from a domestic violence situation.

Two days after the shooting, the second grader’s toys sit alone in the corner of his grandfather’s house. 

“[It’s] horrible. Horrible,” Wicks said. “I haven’t really gotten any sleep since his death.”

More than a grandfather, Wicks said DJ called him “Dad.”

“At the end of the night, that’s my son,” Wicks said. “He’s gone right now and I know he’s not coming back.”

Family and friends released balloons in DJ’s honor. Shades of red and pictures of Spiderman floated up to the sky as loved ones grasped to the memories they have of the little boy. 

“He was always a happy kid,” Wicks said. “If I’m upset, he would always be like, ‘Dad, you ok?'”

The days after the loss have marked the start of an unwanted, new normal.

“My whole routine has changed behind this,” Wicks said. “I want my son to walk through that door at 3:15, but I know that’s not going to happen no more.”

Tears fall but gratitude remains. DJ left an impact that goes beyond a life cut short.

“I want to tell DJ this: I appreciate the seven years that he has given me in my life,” Wicks said.   

DJ was one of three people who died over the weekend in Urbana. 18-year-old Sherman McCraney Jr. was shot and killed on Friday. 

WCIA has reached out to police but have yet to get more details on either Friday or Saturday’s shooting.

If you’d like to support DJ’s family in their loss, you can do so through their GoFundMe.