Seven-year-old Tristan Rael, a first-grader at King Elementary School in Colorado Springs, was killed by gun violence on April 12, 2024. Authorities are treating the death as a homicide, and no arrests or suspects have been publicly identified while the investigation continues.

Tristan’s family described him as warm and caring, with a big smile and sparkling brown eyes. He enjoyed riding his 4-wheeler, playing at his favorite park, visiting Scheels to ride the Ferris wheel, cooking and dancing with his mother to Build Me Up Buttercup, and taking photos with his Polaroid camera. Minecraft and time spent with his sisters, cousins, and friends were among his favorite pastimes.

More than a hundred people attended a park vigil to honor his memory. If anyone has information about the shooting on April 12, 2024, please come forward to the investigators handling the case.