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Candlelight vigil held for family killed in triple homicide

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said Quasean Trotter, 20, Ariyan Johnson, 19, and their 11-month-old Arielle Trotter were found dead inside their home on India Avenue after a reported house fire Tuesday.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla - Family members held a candlelight vigil in Arlington Thursday for the victims killed in a triple murder.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said Quasean Trotter, 20, Ariyan Johnson, 19, and their 11-month-old Arielle Trotter were found dead inside their home on India Avenue after a reported house fire Tuesday.

JSO said Quasean Trotter and Johnson were shot to death while Arielle Trotter died of smoke inhalation.

READ MORE: Parents, baby found dead in Arlington being called triple homicide

“I miss my granddaughter so much,” Katrina Peterson, the grandmother Johnson, said.

“My wife and I are in pain right now,” Mario Peterson, the grandfather of Johnson, said.

JSO detectives and evidence technicians came back out to the home Thursday and spent most of their time collecting evidence in the backyard.

A shattered window could be seen behind the home with glass on the ground along, with charred clothing and what looked like charred glass, most likely caused from the Christmas tree fire that brought authorities out to the home in the first place.

“We just need someone to come forward with answers, please, don’t worry about this snitching stuff, we are hurting, we need closure,” Mario Peterson said.

Neighbors told First Coast News they could smell burnt rubber as early as Tuesday morning. JSO and JFRD haven’t confirmed a timeline of what happened or explained how that fire started.

They haven’t released any suspect details but said early in the investigation that there were no apparent signs of forced entry.

During the vigil, Johnson's aunt Vanessa Hampton said her family is optimistic that justice will be served.

"We're going trust in God and we're going to believe in JSO," Hampton said. "Whomever is out there. You know what you did. And you know JSO is coming. So when JSO comes, don't be surprised."

Funeral arrangements are being made for Saturday, December 23. If you would like to donate to the family for funeral expenses you can do so here.

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