GAINESVILLE, FL.-

It's not the traditional way to mourn the passing of a loved one.
Friends and family are washing cars tonight to raise money for a funeral service for Eugene Shelton.
The Santa Fe College student was killed August 23, 2012 and his body is still at the funeral home.

 

Shelton's best friend tells me the family doesn't have the money for his funeral so she decided to  hold some funudraisers.
 There is a carwash going on right now at the Burger King on Newberry Road until 7 p.m.
Yesterday they raised about $150, but she hopes today there will be a better turnout because it will determine whether or not he will be buried or cremated.

"It's heartbreaking. I want to lay him to rest," said Jennifer Beck.

 

 

About two weeks ago Beck lost her best friend.

"Eugene was positive about everything. Even on a bad day you wouldn't hear him complain. He always kept a smile on his face," said Beck.

 

 

Twenty-six-year old Eugene Shelton was shot and killed in the parking lot of Rocky Point Apartments, in what detectives are calling a drug deal gone wrong. 
Jonathan Peterson and Adrick Williams are both charged with Shelton's death.
Now friends and family are coping with the emotional loss as well as the practical problem of paying for his funeral service.

 

 

 

"I've been trying to think of every route possible to try and get some funds for the funeral. He deserves a proper burial," said Beck.

 

 

Beck hopes they can raise enough money to lay Shelton to rest by this weekend because it's already been about two weeks since he was killed.
Julie Collins with the Forest Meadows Funeral Home said delaying the funeral and burial can be difficult on the family.

 

 

 

 

"Two weeks is a little longtime to have to wait for the families to get closure and to be able to have those services."

 

 

 

Beck said shelton's family tried applying for the states victim compensation services, but shelton does not qualify because he has a criminal record.
Leaving loved ones no choice, but to try and come up with about $4,000.

 

 

 

"If we can come up with the money it will be Saturday; proper burial. If not we might just have to go for just a cremation with no service," said Beck.

 

 While holding back tears Beck said the last thing she wants to see is her longtime friend cremated.