SEGUIN, Texas — Warnero Young is smiling in so many precious photographs.
At play in arcades, clowning in costumes at conventions, enjoying a staycation at a fancy hotel, mugging for the camera with his kids — The snapshots are what will now keep his memory alive as his family mourns his loss.
The 45-year-old Seguin resident, an Army veteran and father of two, was shot to death at an Austin motel last week.
The man who police said shot him is jailed on a murder charge. Police said the man was having a mental health episode and the attack was completely unprovoked.
Stephanie Carrillo said she had been friends with Young for about 15 years.
"He served in the military for several years. That's where he and I met, and we were engaged for a short period of time, but ultimately decided we were better as friends," Carrillo said.
Still reeling from the loss, Carrillo said family and friends are having trouble understanding how things ended so violently for a veteran who was always on guard.
"He taught me self defense. He taught me how to be aware of my surroundings, how to check the area," Carrillo said. "If we went to a new place, he scoped out the place before I went in."
Loved ones believe the delusional man who attacked Young just caught him off guard.
"Survival instincts always kicked in with him. That's why this is so shocking to us, because of his training and his awareness," Carrillo said.
Going over years of photographs of happy times, Carrillo said Young should be remembered not for how he died, but for the way he lived.
"He really was a great guy and a good dad and he spent as much time as he could with his 9-year-old daughter and did everything he could for her," she said.
In another photo, Young is smiling broadly while standing next to his young son at one of the boy's football games.
Being available for special moments was a hallmark of his life, Carrillo said.
"He's always helping people. Currently, we're actually trying to figure out who (was) the last person he was trying to help. He was trying to get them some things because they were moving and we have no idea who it was because if anyone called him, day or night, he was there," Carrillo said.
Young was the kind of man who made his friends and family proud, Carrillo said, adding the world would be a better place if more people emulated him.
"Just give your all to everyone and be kind. He always helped everyone. He never turned anyone down. It didn't matter how far they were. What time of day it was, whatever they needed help with, whether it was moving, financially, just someone to talk to or just to get out of the house," Carrillo said. "I think we need to be more kind to one another and help each other out more on a daily basis."
As a testimony to his good works, when the family started an online fundraising effort to help pay for funeral expenses, they exceeded their goal in less than one day.
The family is still making arrangements for his funeral service, which will be posted here.
Remembering her longtime friend, Carrillo said: "I don't understand what is happening in this world, but hold your loved ones close. We never know when or how they will be taken from us."