SPEEDWAY, Ind — Caiden Clements' father said his son raced in soap box derbies, got good grades and always had people laughing.
Little did Nicholas know, he would say, "I love you" one last time to his son before he walked out the door Saturday night.
"Words can't explain. (I'll) never get to hug him again, never get to tell him I love him again, see him again. And all over what? Probably nothing, to be honest with you. Nothing worth dying over," Nicholas Clements said.
Police said the 17-year-old was shot and killed around 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 in the 5000 block of West 22nd Street, near North Auburn Street, in Speedway.
"I don't know why he was out at 2 o'clock in the morning. I don't. Like I said, I didn't even think he was supposed to be over there at that house," Clements said. "You know, he told me a different story. I mean, you don't always know where your kids are. They can tell you one thing, but when they leave, it could be different."
The man who shot and killed Caiden, police say, was a 19-year-old.
"He didn't have guns or carry guns. I didn't raise him up to be around guns. I don't understand. All I want to know is why. Why him?" Clements said. "He was the sweetest kid. He touched so many people's lives. He was a great kid. He was type of kid to try and stop a fight instead of start one."
Caiden died just five days shy of his 18th birthday. Now, his father is planning his son's funeral instead of a party.
"You shouldn't have to bury your kids," Clements said. "It's so hard. Words can't explain it."