Fayetteville family devastated from cherished sister's shooting death

Many are out traveling this holiday weekend and excited to be with their loved ones.

However, one local family has one less person to celebrate the holidays with.

That would be the family of 24-year-old Daeja Kyes. Fayetteville Police said Kyes was shot and killed on Wednesday.

WRAL News met with her aunt and sister Saturday for the first time. They are devastated after their loss.

The Kyes family said balloon releases are a tradition for occasions like birthdays, holidays and, sadly, death. The celebration of life happened Saturday in Fayetteville in honor of Daeja Kyes.

"We're just trying to get the family together and keep them together," said sister Bryonica Kyes.

Fayetteville police say Daeja was involved in a fight with other people. At some point, gunshots were fired and she died along Tamarack Drive and Rose Hill Road. A second person was also shot, but she's been released from the hospital. Now, the Kyes family has one less place to set at the table at Christmas.

"Daeja was an awesome girl and she didn't deserve to go the way she went," Connie Spell, Daeja's aunt. "And it's really torn our family apart."

At last check, all the family knows is that Kyes was shot under her arm and leg.

But Bryonica wants to know more about what led to her sister's death.

"She was very loved," Bryonica said. "She loved anybody she was around. She protected anyone she was around."

Police are still investigating the case.