A member of Reginald "Shay" Nicholson's family talked to TV3 about a life she says was taken to soon.

Extended relative, Doris Woodson, was Shay Nicholson's pastor at Friendship Church in Staunton. She's known Shay for ten years, and she is still shocked knowing he will no longer be with us.

Woodson says, "We were hoping he was going to be able to pull through. So young, to leave this world so young."

She knew Shay growing up as a boy full of love, who grew into a star athlete, who got along with everybody.

She says, "Sometimes we can get around bad company, bad people. And I think this is what really kind of what happened."

She hopes Shay's passing will send an important life message to young people in the Valley.

Woodson adds, "Hopefully this will really wake our young people up, our young children up, and let them realize the value of life and be careful about the company they choose to hang around."

The ongoing investigation into the shooting has resulted in five people being arrested, which brings a bit of comfort to which the family is clinging.

She says, "It does bring comfort in knowing that they have gotten all of the guys that were involved in it so that no one else gets hurt."

As someone who enjoyed church, Woodson says she will miss seeing Shay on Sundays, and for now, the family will take his loss day by day.

She says, "One thing about life, no one will know what tomorrow will bring."

Friendship Church will show their support for the family during their service Sunday.