CORYDON, Ind. (WDRB) -- The town of Corydon, Indiana, came together Friday night to honor Bryce Gerlach on what would have been his senior night at Corydon Central High School.

The 18-year-old was an innocent bystander when he was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire at Harvest Homecoming last weekend that left two others injured.

Friday, his fellow football players and the community process his loss and rally behind his grieving family.

While there was barely a dry eye at the game, there were also smiles, laughter, and music, the way Bryce's friends said he would have wanted their senior night to be. 

"I know Bryce would want me to stay strong for him, and just to the way the community has been coming together for him, it's just given me hope for a lot of things," said Corydon senior Sam Haskins.

From the makeshift memorial outside the stadium, to the sea of blue — his favorite color — within, memories of Bryce surrounded his friends and family as they remembered the teen who raised the spirits of those around him.

"Bryce was my best friend, and I just, he meant the absolute world to me," said Haskins. "He was one of the people that just picked me up when I was down, he was always there for me anytime I had a problem."

On senior night, it was Bryce's sophomore brother, Owen, who walked in his place with their parents, wearing his brother's No. 12.

Bryce was getting recruited as a kicker, so it was only fitting that after a nice opening drive by the Panthers, his brother Owen kicked the extra point. 

All of Bryce's friends said he'd want the students to celebrate and have fun on senior night, and to never forget their faith, just like Bryce.

"He had a biblically accurate angel on his leg, he had 'Trust in God's plan' on his left forearm in German, you know, he was one of the most faithful dudes I know," Corydon Senior Trey Wiley said.

The community has remained faithful to the Gerlach family, setting up raffles for the scholarship fund already created in Bryce's honor.

"A lot of businesses are raising money, and it's just a way of, it's just a gesture of love to help the family know that their pain matters, Bryce mattered, and we love them," said Jayme Byrd, with Busy Bee Car Wash in Corydon.

The pain of losing Bryce has changed a town that the school district's superintendent said usually just sees shootings on the news.

"Senseless violence and death has visited our community, and that in some ways has shattered the innocence that we've had in our community here," Superintendent Mark Eastridge said.

Therapy dogs and counselors have been on hand for Corydon students processing the loss of their friend and classmates.

But while they will never forget the loss, they will also remember LLB — to Live Like Bryce. 

"It shows you not to take things for granted, and if everybody can live like Bryce, I think we're pretty good off," Corydon senior Landon Waynescott said. 

The entire Corydon community has rallied behind the Gerlach family. Rita's Taco Shop has raised thousands of dollars for the family. Tuesday, for every meal ordered of Bryce's favorite dish, the restaurant donated the proceeds to his family. In total, more than $12,000 was raised in one day.

"It was exciting, knowing that we were able to raise that much because, not only was it hard to do with the amount of staff that we have, it's amazing to see how fast the community came together to be able to raise that much," said Sarah De La Torre, a manager at the restaurant.

Corydon's opponent during Friday's game, Silver Creek, even sold bracelets in honor of Bryce for $3 to give to the Gerlachs.

Bryce wasn't just someone who was loved at his high school in Corydon Central. All around southern Indiana Friday night, students wore orange for gun violence awareness and paid their respects to the former Panther. 

Floyd Central and New Albany high schools also paid their respects. The Highlanders of Floyd Central walked onto the field with a No. 87 jersey. Gerlach worked out with the team over the summer, wearing No. 87, and considered transferring to the school. 

A visitation for Gerlach was held Wednesday night at First Capital Christian Church in Corydon.

There will be another visitation Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m., followed by the funeral and private burial.

New Albany Police are still actively investigating the Harvest Homecoming shooting, but have not yet made any arrests. 

One of the other two people who were injured in the shooting, a 42-year-old woman, has been released from the hospital. But a 22-year-old man who was shot is still hospitalized. 

Previous Coverage: 

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.