Friends remember murdered Plant City DJ

Plant City, FL - At only 21 years old, Shamir Garnelo lost his life.

Friends say he died doing what he loved.

"He really loved to DJ and sing and rap," said close friend Nicole Garnelo.

Known as DJ Nelo, friends say, he lived for music.

"On Sundays, he spends the whole day at church, deejaying with his brothers and his dad," said Garnelo's girlfriend Amber Masters.

Garnelo's life was cut short early Saturday morning in Pasco County while he was working a teen's birthday party.

He was found dead in the bathroom of an American Legion Hall in Holiday. Deputies say he was murdered.

Devastated, friends gathered in their Plant City neighborhood, near Garnelo's home, on Saturday.

Roscoe Emanuel says he looked up to Garnelo. "He helped me throughout singing, rapping, dancing. He taught me he was a role model to people," said Emanuel.

For Nicole Patrick, Garnelo was like family. She says he never got into trouble. "He hates problems. He doesn't like drama. So, he's always easy to get along with. He's just a number one friend."

To Amber Masters, Garnelo was a number one boyfriend. "He was just an awesome person."

They were together for the past year and they loved each other. They showed it in their last words on the phone that fateful Friday night.

"He was just like, 'Ok, I'll call you when I get home. I love you bye.' And I was like, 'I love you too.' That was the last I heard from him" said Masters.

With their favorite DJ Nelo song playing out of a car stereo, these friends find comfort in each other's arms.

"We'll never forget him. His music will continue," said Patrick.