Caleb Medley recently moved to Aurora and is originally from Florence, outside of Canon City. Folks in that community held a prayer vigil for him Tuesday night.

Instead of cradling his newborn baby boy, Caleb Medley is fighting for his life.

“It was just horrible, he’s like one of my kids he was at our house all the time,” Jewel West said.

As Caleb lies in his hospital bed with a gunshot wound to the eye, his hometown of Florence comes together, joining hands in prayer.

“Our hearts were broken when we heard this so we’ve just been praying for him a lot,” Teresa Six said.

Hundreds gathered at Pioneer Park for the vigil, lighting candles with flames of hope and writing encouraging messages in a card. Caleb, an aspiring comedian, always knew just how to brighten a room.

“Every time you think of him you have a smile on your face,” Amanda Wilerson said.

“He is just a very funny, very loving outgoing person,” Six said.

Everyone at the vigil is hoping the power of prayer will lead to a quick recovery.

Caleb and his family don't have medical insurance and their bills could reach into the millions. A benefit account has been set up to help Caleb and his family. Donations can be dropped off at any Canon National Bank under the name of “Caleb Medley.”