In Memoriam: Brendan Tevlin, Rock Spring Caddie Scholar

Story published by Seth Augenstein/The Star-Ledger via nj.com.

LIVINGSTON — More than 1,000 mourners packed into St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church today for the funeral of a 19-year-old college student shot and killed in West Orange last week.

Brendan Tevlin's surviving sister and two brothers - all teenagers - spoke to a sobbing, overflow crowd standing in the aisles, and even sitting under tents outside the church on a hot summer's day.

"I've really been at a loss for words these last couple days," said Brian Tevlin, eulogizing his big brother who caddied at Rock Spring Club. "Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."

"It's not supposed to be like this. The community is living in fear of senseless violence," the Rev. Brian Needles told the congregation during the homily. "It's just not supposed to be like this.

"Nothing can really explain away tragedy and evil like this. At the end of the day, we're confronted by a mystery," the priest said.

Tevlin's sister Michaela Tevlin added, "Brendan was the epitome of a perfect brother," as people could be heard weeping in the pews.

Overflow crowd turns out for Brendan Tevlin funeralBrendan Tevlin had more than a 1,000 friends and family turn out for his funeral mass held at St. Philomena Church in Livingston. Tevlin was shot and killed in West Orange last week. (Video by Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)

Toward the end of the service, a large contingent of bagpipers and drummers offered a blaring rendition of "Amazing Grace" which shook the floor and the walls of the Livingston church.

Tevlin, a 2013 graduate of Seton Hall Preparatory School, finished his freshman year at the University of Richmond last month. Family and friends say the 19 year old texted his mother to say he was headed home to Livingston after playing video games at a friend's house in West Orange late Wednesday night.

But Tevlin never made it, as he was shot multiple times at the intersection of Northfield Avenue and Walker Road around midnight. His body was discovered in the Jeep Liberty he had been driving, in the parking lot of an apartment complex about a mile east on Northfield Avenue. The motive for the attack is still unknown.

Authorities have been hunting for the killer or killers responsible ever since. Authorities today increased the reward to $25,000 for information leading to the killer or killers.

At Tevlin's funeral, a prayer was offered not just for the deceased — but also for law enforcement agencies working to apprehend his killer or killers. Earlier today those agencies increased the reward total to $25,000 for information leading to the attackers.

Some 3,500 people attended Tevlin's wake on Monday, said Darren Dangler, of the Dangler Funeral Home in West Orange.

Today, the priest told the packed crowd that Tevlin was an "exceptional young man." Applause resounded through the church.

"He proved you can live a very big life in a very short period of time," said the priest.