INDIANAPOLIS — It was an emotional goodbye to an Indianapolis man known for his kindness, caring and compassion.
Hundreds of people attended a visitation service for Chris Beaty Friday at the Pavilion at Pan Am Plaza.
Beaty, a Cathedral High School and Indiana University graduate, was killed two weeks ago after violence erupted outside his downtown apartment.
Police have yet to identify suspects or a motive in his killing.
"It's sad," said Jared Thomas, Beaty's nephew. "It hurts."
Thomas described his uncle as "a big guy with a big heart. He had a knack for making everyone feel special, no matter who they were or what what the connection was."
Many attending the visitation wore "CB" pins. Beaty's larger-than-life image was projected on several screens. "Live Like Chris" in large letters greeted visitors.
Beaty's high school and college football jerseys were displayed in front of a plaque reading "Forever a Hoosier, forever a hero."
There were numerous flower arrangements and notes of sympathy, one from the NFL, and another from the football staff at Northwestern University, where his nephew Jared plays.
"More than ever, I just think about everything he's taught me. I just keep that motivating me and keep that at the forefront of everything I do," Thomas said.
Outside the pavilion, many people stopped to share heartfelt messages on a large mural of Beaty.
"He was just a positive influence in the community," said Heather Blake, who became friends with Beaty five years ago. "If you were feeling down, he sensed that and just had an empathetic way of building people up. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and also encouraged others to chase their dreams and goals."
Jason Buckner, a friend of Beaty's since IU, said what happened "is just one of those things that's just hard to fathom. It's still taking time to sink in. We're all angry and sad at the same time.
Buckner described Beaty as "bright, engaging and loving.
"(He was) just a beacon in the community, said Buckner.
Buckner said Beaty was a faithful Catholic and "it would be real easy" to throw a "T" on the end of Live Like Chris. "He was the personification of what we all hope to achieve, as far as living selflessly and approaching life with a servant mindset. He was such a huge presence that not any of us as individuals can fill that void. Each of us has to do our part to pick up where Beaty left off and take this city to where Beaty wanted to take it."
A private funeral Mass will take place Saturday at Cathedral High School.