AURORA — Sixteen-year-old Quarron Floyd says religion, and an understanding of life and death, has always been a part of his life. Even so, Floyd admitted that he was not prepared for what awaited him inside the Advantage Aurora Chase Chapel on Friday night.
“I’ve been crying the whole ride over here — I just don’t think I’m quite ready to look at her,” Floyd said of his friend, Jessica Hernandez, who lay inside the chapel.
Floyd was among a massive crowd of friends and family who came to pay their respects at a wake for Hernandez, who was shot and killed by Denver police Jan. 26 after they said the 17-year-old drove a stolen car toward them.
David Carrillo sat silently in a chair outside the viewing room, overcome with emotion.
“It’s crazy; two days before (the shooting) happened she was at my house,” he said. “She was visiting my sister, and they were laughing and having a good time.
“She fell asleep on the couch, and and I picked her up and took her into the bedroom and laid her down next to my sister.”
Carrillo said Hernandez’s death has been especially hard on his sister Judith and that he’s still struggling to come to grips with what happened.
“Things are just a blur,” he said. “I’m still pretty confused.”
More than a week later, Floyd said he and his friends are still unable to discuss Jessie’s death.
“No matter how much you try to talk or go over the stories or read the headlines, she’s still gone,” he said. “She was just an outstanding person, always had a Colgate smile. … I know she’s up there looking down on us. I know it.”
Hernandez will be buried Saturday morning at Olinger Highland Mortuary and Cemetery in Thornton following a Mass.
The Hernandez family has set up an account to accept donations by those who wish to assist with funeral expenses.
Donations can be made to Chase Bank, Account No. 3044756483. The bank does not accept cash deposits to this account.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com
