CONCORD, N.C. - It was a rainy, somber night in Concord.

• Community held vigil Friday night for recent homicide victims
• 13-year-old Aveanna Propst and her cousin 31-year-old Derron Jordan were killed in unrelated shootings on the same night
• Community leaders met before the vigil to discuss ways to curb the violence

"It’s a dream that becomes a nightmare, a nightmare that never goes away," Sally Coleman said. "You live in that nightmare for the rest of your life."

Two families hurting for the lives of 13-year-old Aveanna Propst and her cousin 31-year-old Derron Jordan. The vigil was led by Sally Coleman who is not related to the family, but she knows the pain.

"The reason it’s so hard to stand here tonight, for a 13-year-old child, is it took me back," Coleman said.

Coleman’s own 13-year-old son died 27-years ago.

"My life from that day, it has changed," Coleman said. "It will never go back."

As another life is cut short she realizes you can’t do nothing.

"It’s not the tragedy that does you in," Coleman said. "It’s what you do with the tragedy."

Ahead of the vigil Bethel Baptist Church in Kannapolis held a meeting.

"I just want to make sure that we don’t allow this thing to grow any bigger than it already is," Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Antonio Johnson said.

The goal was to talk with parents and leaders about mentorship programs, talking with teens and figuring out any solutions that could work. Johnson says he was a juvenile correction officer for two years.

"I learned that every child that is in trouble don’t necessarily grow up to want to be in trouble," Johnson said.

A little bit of listening can go a long way.

"I ran into one of the child's that was in the facility, out with my wife shopping. I thought uh, oh," Johnson said. "But he came up and shook my hand and said thank you. That really made me feel well."

Johnson hopes adults can reach more teens just like that so vigil candles aren't a common scene.

Aveanna's funeral will be held Saturday.