SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Torrey Pines High School students are learning 15-year-old Jacob Peterson was the boy who died in this weekend's police shooting.
On Sunday, students and parents showed up at a growing memorial on campus to pay their respects.
A steady stream of tears fell as kids dropped off flowers and cards. One after another, students shared stories about Peterson. One girl told 10News how sweet he was when she gave him a tour of the school. Another family said he was a brilliant boy who always went out of his way to help his kids with classwork and computers.
Many questioned what led up to the tragedy that unfolded on campus and how long ago it started.
San Diego police said it started with a welfare check at the school around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. They later learned Peterson was likely the reporting party who pretended to be someone else.
The two officers, including a juvenile service team officer from the SDPD's Northwestern Division, responded.
SDPD Homicide Lt. Mike Holden said as officers exited their patrol car, the teen pulled what appeared to be a handgun from his waistband and aimed it directly at one of the officers.
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Police later learned it was a BB gun.
"Both officers drew their weapons while repeatedly giving the male commands to drop his handgun," Holden added.
He went on to say the boy refused to comply with the officers' commands to drop the gun, and instead continued to point it at one officer and then began walking toward the same officer.
Officers shot him, then tried to save him with CPR.
As kids went to the school to mourn, they were met by several police protestors.
Kathryn Brinton, who has a 15-year-old daughter, called the situation unbearable.
RELATED: Torrey Pines student shot, killed by police pointed BB gun at cops
"My experience with the police in this area is that they are extremely responsible; they're very, very good at their jobs," Brinton said. "I'll go so far as to say they're loving towards our children."
Peterson's mom sent 10News this statement in a message: "Our family is mourning the loss of a loving and wonderful young man. We ask that you respect our privacy as we remember him and all he meant to us."
Instead of making plans for Mother's Day, she will be planning her son's funeral.
On Monday, a crisis team will be on campus for students who would like to talk about the tragedy.
