Slain Liberty High student's mother, son walk in her place at graduation

Larissa Barros was killed 2 weeks before she was set to graduate with honors

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A Liberty High School student was honored Thursday at what should have been her high school graduation.

A chair was left empty for Larissa Barros, a young mother and smart student, killed two weeks before gradation.

The 18-year-old was found shot to death May 12 in her Poinciana home after her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child violated a no-contact order and showed up at her house.

Osceola Heritage Park was filled with cheers as Barros' son donned a cap and gown and was carried across the stage by his grandmother to accept Barros' diploma in her honor.

The pair were the first to walk because Barros would have graduated third in her class and had a 4.5 GPA. She was planning on attended Florida State University in the fall.

The moment brought tears to Barros' friends' eyes who reflected on her life after the graduation ceremony.

"She should have been here right now," Diego Rodriquez told News 6. "She was No. 3 in the class, you know."

Barros motivated her fellow classmates to strive for greatness, said Ashley Espinal, who spent time with Barros in their pharmacy tech class.

"She accomplished a lot ... people give up but she did better than most people in school with a baby," Espinal said.

The investigation into Barros' death continues.

Deputies have not officially said that Kai Williams, 20, killed Barros, but Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Cpt. Jacob Ruiz said it appears that Williams was the shooter.

Williams shot and killed himself as deputies tried to make contact with him after receiving a 911 call from Barros' home.

Victims of domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, available 24 hours a day, at 1-800-799-7233 or the Harbor House 24-hour confidential crisis hotline at 407-886-2856.