A 13-year-old's tears say more than words ever could -- Autumn Wyldes is grappling with the saddest experience in her life.

Her close friend, Larenzo Hawkins, also 13, was shot dead on Friday night in his home.

Several people saw the shooting, investigators said. So far, no one has been arrested.

"It's going to be hard to not have him around. I used to sit with him at lunch, and now he's not there," Wyldes said.

Other friends described Hawkins as a kind, active teenager, one whom they couldn't imagine would ever meet such an end.

"It makes your gut hurt, and it makes you wonder why," said Keith Wyldes Sr., Autumn Wyldes' dad.

Keith Wyldes said he knew Wilkins for a long time. He was happy when his daughter chose the boy as her friend.

"He was always nice to everyone, and never did anything bad to nobody," Wyldes said.
Her father said he has learned a lesson.

"Bullets have no names, and you have to really live life every day for what it's worth, because you just never know," Keith Wyldes said.

Police from Papillion and Bellevue and troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol immediately began a search of the area after the shooting for suspects who may have left the neighborhood in a red Ford sedan.

Papillion Police Chief Leonard Houloose said there also was a search for a suspect who was on foot.

Papillion Junior High School will be open on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Grief counselors will be available for students.