ORLANDO, Fla. – A vigil was held Thursday in Orlando for two toddlers who were shot and killed by their father last week. Relatives and community members gathering to remember the young girls as joyful children who loved to smile and dance.
Two-year-old Tiana and 11-month-old Jaliyah were shot and killed Friday inside their home at the Palmetto at Lakeside Apartments on Rio Grande Avenue. Police said the girls’ father, 33-year-old Bryant Watts, shot them.
Their uncle, Leroy Jackson III, hosted the vigil as dozens of people came out to support the family. Jackson said the girls had a way of brightening the day of anyone around them.
“You could really be having a bad day...ever had one of those days and it’s really bad and the kids just come up to you and say, “Hey!” and you like oh my goodness, right? They really were...brightened up your day,“ said Jackson.
Jaliyah would have turned 1 on June 22.
In the days since the shooting, additional details have emerged about Watts’ criminal history. Thursday also marked one week since Watts was scheduled for a pretrial motion hearing connected to a domestic violence incident involving his girlfriend in November 2025.
During the vigil, people embraced, prayed and cried as they stood near photos of Tiana and Jaliyah. Children’s toys, including Bluey and Mickey Mouse characters, were placed near the pictures, and several people brought flowers to pay their respects.
One message repeated throughout the evening was a reminder to cherish loved ones.
“When you’re with your kids and you’re with your family and you’re with everyone hug them as close as you can because ya never know...you never know,” said Jackson.
Jackson said despite the tragedy, faith is helping carry the family through.
“Even in the midst of this, God is good,“ he said.