A Mid-State family has been remembering a teenager shot to death on what would have been her high school graduation day.
Tony Lucas and Michelle Birch attended their late daughter's graduation ceremony in her honor.
Vastoria Lucas, age 19, was fatally shot in March while walking to church near the Cayce Homes Apartments. Her family said they believe her death was premeditated.
Police charged 28-year-old Kevin Caprice Smith with criminal homicide after he admitted to shooting Lucas.
On Saturday, loved ones celebrated her graduation at Shelby Park.
"We had already planned this before that happened to Vastoria, so it was only fair to continue," Lucas said.
"Every day I cry. Every night I cry myself to sleep, but I still pray to God to give me strength and I know that's what helps me, keeps me from having another stroke. I had a stroke during this, keep me from having that and to just to keep all of us," Birch said.
Days after Vastoria's death, her sister said butterflies kept flying around them. The morning of the graduation, one flew on her mother.
"It landed on my hand and stayed in my hand for 30 minutes. It did not move," she said.
After graduating, Lucas wanted to play basketball for either Vanderbilt or Trevecca University.
"She was a good person, loved Jesus Christ, loved her family more than anything in the world. She loved her family," Birch smiled.
Birch said what she'll miss the most are Lucas' hugs and kisses.
"God only takes the good ones, so he took my good one. I'm not upset because I know he got her. I wish he would've left her with me a little bit longer, but I'm so happy she's in heaven," Birch said.
