The Eyrie

WINTER GARDEN, FL — A Central Florida family marked the 10th anniversary of 13-year-old Lavardo “Eljay” Fisher’s death by holding a first memorial 5K in his honor. The run was designed to remember the Ocoee teen, who died in an accidental shooting in February 2016, while also drawing attention to firearm safety.

Family members said the event was about more than mourning. They wanted the race to celebrate Fisher’s life, bring together the people who knew him, and send a public message about securing guns so children do not find them unsecured in homes.

Family members, teachers and coaches fill the first race in his honor

The turnout included Fisher’s relatives, former teachers, coaches and other community members who have stayed connected to the family over the years. Ocoee Middle School, where Fisher had attended, was also represented at the event, underscoring how widely his memory has remained in the community.

Fisher’s mother, Fabiola Nelson, said seeing so many people show up was deeply moving. She described the gathering as overwhelming in the best way, especially because it included people tied to her son’s school years and daily life. For her, the race showed that many people still want to support the family and remember Eljay as more than the tragedy that took his life.

Mother says the support made the memorial especially emotional

Nelson said the scale of the turnout brought a powerful emotional response. She said she broke down when she saw the support, especially with Ocoee Middle School represented among the attendees. In her view, the event reflected how Fisher’s life still resonates with people who knew him and cared about him.

The family said the goal was to keep his memory alive through an annual tradition that brings people together. Rather than letting the anniversary pass quietly, they wanted to create something active and visible that could gather the community around his name, his story and the lessons they hope others will take from it.

Memorial race carries a warning about unsafe gun storage

Jerry Nelson, Fisher’s stepfather, said the family hopes the 5K also pushes parents and guardians to think more carefully about where firearms are kept. He said too many children are still finding guns stored carelessly in places such as under beds or pillows instead of being locked away in a safe or secured with a gun lock.

The message was central to the event’s purpose. Family members said they want the memorial to remind people that an unsecured weapon can turn a family home into a dangerous place. By pairing remembrance with a safety message, they hope Fisher’s story can help prevent another child and another family from suffering the same loss.

Grief remains part of the family’s life ten years later

For Fisher’s loved ones, the anniversary did not signal closure. Nelson said grief does not expire, and the race gave the family a way to live with that loss while still honoring his memory. She said there is no simple moving forward, but there are ways to keep him present in their lives.

That sentiment shaped the tone of the gathering. The family described the 5K as a way to hold on to Fisher’s legacy while also creating meaning out of pain. Rather than focusing only on the circumstances of his death, they wanted the day to reflect the love, support and shared remembrance that have continued for a decade.

Finish line tribute keeps Eljay at the center of the message

As runners crossed the finish line, Fisher’s photo and the family’s message remained central to the event. The visible reminders were meant to keep attention on Eljay’s life and on the family’s plea that others take simple precautions to reduce the risk of another accidental shooting.

Jerry Nelson said his own message to Fisher remains straightforward: that he loves him and misses him. He also said the race has given him a reason to keep moving and exercising while helping preserve the teen’s memory. The family hopes the memorial 5K will continue in the years ahead as both a tribute and a call for safer firearm practices.