Community mourns loss of man, 21, who was shot and killed while taking out trash in Compton

COMPTON, Calif. (KABC) -- The parents of Branden Davis led a march through their Compton neighborhood Thursday night after the 21-year-old was shot and killed outside his home.

Branden was taking out the trash Monday night when neighbors and his mother heard several gunshots.

"I was in my bathroom and I heard him screaming, 'Help me, mommy! Help me!' And then when I went out, he was on his stomach and I could see a big blood stain on his back," his mother Lesley Ivey said.

Dozens of family, friends and church members gathered for a prayer vigil at Branden's family home. They wore T-shirts honoring Branden.

The vigil was led by the family's pastor, who started a group focused on stopping the violence after his own son was shot seven years ago.

"The difference was my son's life was spared, but I got a taste of the pain that many mothers and fathers are literally devastated with," Pastor Winford Bell said.

Bullets from Branden's shooting pierced the outside of the family's home and struck an apartment building next door. Kehli Berry and her family are so upset they decided to leave.

"I'm not staying here. When you have bullets on your doorstep, on your stairs, going through your house and you've got shells in your house, and you think that could be any one of us in the house?" Berry said.

Authorities said Branden was not involved in any gangs. Investigators are still searching for the gunman responsible for the tragedy.