PLEASANTVILLE -- More than a dozen family members gathered around tonight to sing, grieve and share memories of their father, friend and cousin Ellis Spell.

"I just miss my daddy. I wish that he were here in his house where he belongs," said daughter Laneika Spell.

Ellis Spell was gunned down just before Christmas in his own house in what police are calling a home invasion. Family members say Spell was a father, a business owner and someone who genuinely cared about his children's success.

"My father was a good man. He always worried about his family. He always wanted us to be successful. You know have some careers."

Pleasantville has been riddled with violence recently. Three murders already this year and with no solution, neighbors here can only hope the year gets better.

"We have to come together collectively and make sure these kids know and understand what can happen when you take another persons life," said relative Nathan Moore.

Spell's daughter believes that the change must start with the youth.

"The young people. We need to get it together. Better ourselves and lives and just do better and stop the violence," added Spell.

For now, police in the city are continuing to patrol the streets in hopes of stemming the violence.

Since Ellis Spell's death, authorities have arrested 20-year-old Jeremiah Jackson, after he turned himself in to police earlier this week.

Jackson is being charged with murder and weapons offenses and is currently being held on 500,000 dollars cash bail at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.