Omaha Police were investigating a homicide Friday that happened near 45th and Larimore streets.

Police said they found Brandin Princole shot and lying on the ground about 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Princole was taken to University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries, police said.

Court documents showed Princole was charged with having a handgun on school grounds in September.

But those closest to Princole said he was funny and caring, and that's what they want people to remember.

"He will be missed but never forgotten -- not at this house," Denise Dennis said.

Dennis saw Princole almost every day. He was best friends with her son and considered him part of her family.

"He's like one of my own kids, and now there's this empty space," Dennis said. "Nobody is going to make me understand how this happened."

Dennis said Princole had a bright, caring personality, but she said he had some struggles.

"I just wish I could have gotten him to open up to me," Dennis said.