The grief is overwhelming for students at Wylie East High School Monday, as they return to school for the first time without classmate Nahum Martinez.
The 15-year-old was shot early Saturday and his body was left laying in the street on the 600-block of Linden Avenue -- where a memorial is now growing.
Students told NBC 5 that the two people arrested and charged in connection with Martinez's murder were also freshman at Wylie East. Friends believe the three were having a sleepover before something led to the shooting.
At first, classmates said they thought Martinez's death was a bad April Fool's Day joke.
Now, two days later, the reality is setting in.
Early Monday, more than 50 students gathered together in the school parking lot before class to help support each other. With the American flag lowered to half-staff, they joined hands in prayer and signed a banner in Martinez's honor.
"Knowing he's dead, just crushed me," said Sophomore Danny Kown.
Friends said getting over the death of the track and cross country runner will not be easy. Monday night, runners are dedicating their track meet to Martinez.
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"It's just so hard knowing that he's gone. He's not coming back, ever," said Freshman Sasha Parkinson.
"We just hope it was an accident and pray to God it was an accident," said freshman Julia Lopez.
Students hung white ribbons as a sign they're committed to taking a stand against bullying. Martinez's friends wonder if this deadly shooting is the result of bullying that went way too far.
"He was bullied. Many people were mean to him. I don't know why. He was the nicest person," said Parkinson.
"Maybe not bullied to the point they'd shoot him, maybe like teasing, but not enough to kill him," said freshman Edwin Walker.
The district said they have never received any reports that Martinez was bullied.
Monday night, runners are dedicating their track meet to Martinez. During a memorial Sunday night, nearly 200 people met at the school as some ran Martinez's run route in his honor.
