JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Family and friends gathered Tuesday evening to honor the life of a man who was shot and killed at a Jackson park.

The group gathered at Murrah High School to remember the life of Melvin McNair, Jr.

“Oh, my brother was a lovable individual. He was a likable individual. He had no enemies that I knew of. He was a friendly person. Anybody that he met, he loved. Anybody that, you know, he met, they loved him more than just a stranger on the street. He became a part of anybody that he met his family,” said Malika Smith, McNair’s sister.

His mother, Sharon Smith, said she’s thankful for the quick action by Jackson and Capitol police after they arrested a suspect in the case.

“I’m very happy with that because, you know, you know, a lot of people give JPD a bad look. They give this, you know, all policemen a bad look. But with the effort that they put in with Capitol Police, JPD, I really, I really appreciate everything that they’re doing,” said Sharon Smith.

The family is also grateful for the love the City of Jackson has given them.

“I can say that seeing everybody out here lets me know how much my brother was loved outside of his family when it first happened. The amount of outpouring of sincere sorrow and condolences, and a lot of people just being hurt by what has happened because of who the person that he was. We never in a million years would have thought that something like this to happen to a person like him,” said Malika Smith.