Friends of Terron McCarty, the teenager who was shot and killed Tuesday night in the parking lot near a popular tourist destination, are remembering him as a humble person and someone who loved to dance.

McCarty, 17, was shot and killed outside of LUX Ultra Lounge on International Drive, not too far from Universal Boulevard. Investigators continue to search for suspects in the shooting.

McCarty was at the club Tuesday night for a spring break bash for teens 14 to 18 years old.

Chiquita Florence said she considered McCarty to be family. She said she had to tell his mother that her son was killed.

"He loved his music," Florence said. "He loved to dance. For people to take his life, I'm very speechless."

Keairra Gardner said she hosted and promoted the event. She was also friends with McCarty.

"Just a teen event," Gardner said. "(People were) supposed to come out and have a little fun because we haven't had a party in a long time. We thought it would be nice to come together for spring break, have a party, and this is what happens."

Friends said McCarty worked at the J.B. Callahan Neighborhood Center and was a student at Oak Ridge High School.

"He went to school, he did what a kid is supposed to do," Florence said.

Added Gardner: "He was very humble. He shouldn't have went out like that. Not in the LUX parking lot, not in the club parking lot. Now they are going to portray him as that type of person, and that's not who he was."

Gardner said she's done planning the teen parties after McCarty's death. Now she and others are hoping whoever killed their friend is caught.

Florence had this message to whoever is responsible: "I don't know who did it or what, but whoever — just come forward. Say what you all got to say, even if you didn't mean to do it. We just want to feel peaceful. We just want peace."

A spokesperson with Orange County Public Schools said that even though this happened during spring break, grief counselors will be ready to talk to students, staff and faculty when they return to class Monday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).