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SALT LAKE CITY — Hugo Gomez-Mendez's family chuckled Saturday night as they recalled how Hugo learned to drive when he was just 10.
"He was a good driver," recalled Diana Real, Hugo's cousin.
Family members say an uncle taught Hugo to drive, but they only allowed him to do it up in the mountains, supervised, and away from populated areas.
That was just one of the memories that friends and family members had Saturday night during a candlelight vigil for the 14-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed Friday at a friend's house. Between 30 to 40 people attended the vigil.
Friday afternoon, Mendez was at a friend's house after school. He and the 13-year-old boy reportedly found a loaded gun inside the home. Police say the two were "just playing around" with the weapon when it went off, striking Mendez in the neck and killing him.
Mendez is survived by his mother, brother and two sisters. He is preceded in death by his father who died of cancer and an older brother who was hit and killed by a car while the family still lived in Mexico.
"They're really hurt right now," said 16-year-old Sarahi Gomez, Hugo's sister. "We can't believe he's gone."
The teen who allegedly shot Hugo called 911 after the shooting. The boy was questioned Friday by police. It was unknown Saturday if he would face any charges. Some friends and family members of Mendez said they also felt bad for his friend.
"I can't imagine what the other kid is going through," said family friend Heather Reettenmair.
But some said they weren't sure how to feel right now.
"I don't feel sad for the other kid yet. It's easier to to be mad at somebody and point blame. It just doesn't seem right for it to be an accident," Real said.
Other family members made a plea Saturday for parents to keep their guns locked up and out of reach of children.
If you're at a friend's house and see a gun, don't pick it up. Don't even pick it up to take to a parent.
–Heather Reettenmair, family friend
#reettenmair_quote
"I still have a lot of questions, why'd it have to happen?" asked Jesse Lopez, Hugo's uncle. "There's gotta be a solution to this problem...I believe that anyone as a household member, if they like guns, if they have guns, for instance, as it was in this case, why was it so accessible to a 13-year-old to play with, and loaded?"
Members of Hugo's family said they wanted to speak to the family of the family of the young boy who shot Mendez, but as of Saturday night had not been able to.
Lopez said he had information the gun belonged to an adult family member of the shooter. Police have not released information about where the weapon came from or how the two teens had access to it.
Jesse Lopez lived with Hugo in Salt Lake City up until a week ago when he moved to Idaho. Hugo's father passed away from cancer 10 years ago and Jesse promised he would take care of the boy.
Now, friends and family hope Hugo's tragedy will serve as a reminder to other children not to ever mess with guns.
"If you're at a friend's house and see a gun, don't pick it up," Reettenmair said. "Don't even pick it up to take to a parent."
Friends and family said they would remember Hugo as a happy person with a warm smile who was always around to help or try to make himself useful to others. He was born in Mexico and came to Utah with his family when he was 3 years old. He loved playing football and attended Northwest Middle School.
"The smile the kid had could stop traffic," said Reettenmair, whose son was best friends with Hugo.
A memorial fund has been set up under Hugo Gomez-Mendez's name. Donations can be made at any U.S. Bank location*.
E-mail:preavy@ksl.com
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*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
