Tomorrow was going to be the day proud parents Daniel and Gail Hill took their smiling 18-year-old son Kellon to America to start his new life at college.

Instead, the devastated couple are facing up to the news the teenager has been stabbed to death, seemingly an innocent victim of a beach party robbery.

As word of Kellon's murder spread yesterday, messages of comfort poured in from shocked members of the Hill family's Seventh-day Adventist church community and neighbours.

Kellon's heartbroken friends also gathered at Bermuda Institute, his former school around the corner from his Southampton home, to share stories about the young man whose winning smile used to get him out of trouble.

Sheila Holder, Kellon's former principal at the Institute, was at the prayer session. She told The Royal Gazette: "The kids are just stunned. This is such a big thing. Children were coming up and telling about things that had just happened with Kellon.

"They said he was fun-loving and would always be there for them, a friend who cared about people. A real friend.

"I still had a good relationship with Kellon. He was a brilliant, deep thinker. He questioned everything, he didn't just accept stuff.

"He had a smile to melt your heart. I really could not get upset with him. He would do something, and I would say: 'Kellon!' but he gave you that smile. For me, that just finished me off. I feel like I'm in denial."

Kellon's religious studies educator Gregory Outerbridge said: "He was a very peaceful young gentleman. He had a lot of potential academically."

Both the victim's parents are teachers, with his father Daniel a well-known music instructor.

Former Progressive Labour Party Senator Wayne Caines, a friend of the family, told this newspaper: "Kellon came from a strong family. This is a family that put everything into their children.

"Kellon graduated from Bermuda Institute in June. On Tuesday, he was due to go to university in America.

"We have all taken a blow. The kids are just here crying and bawling. A lot of young children want to know why. We are just here to support the family in any way we can, to let them know that throughout this tragedy there is hope."

Dozens of tributes were paid on the Facebook social networking page, including one from the family of another murder victim, Aquil Richardson, who was shot dead on Boxing Day 2007.

Mr. Richardson's family headlined his own Facebook site with the words: "Another fallen soldier last night! When will it stop?"

And in a tribute to Kellon, they wrote: "The family of the late Aquil Richardson extends their heartfelt condolences to Kellon Hill's family. What is this world coming to?"

"When are our young black boys going to start paying attention to what's happening?

"Can't they see that they are killing each other? Are they that frustrated with themselves? It has got to stop!"

Their words of frustration and heartache were echoed by many others.

Family friend Geneva Ingham told Kellon's grieving parents: "You had such wonderful dreams for your son and they were shattered overnight...

"I can't imagine what is going in your minds right now but I hope that those who witnessed it will tell all so that you can find justice and closure."

In a further message to them which she also copied to this newspaper, she added: "You have lost a beautiful child because of someone else's foolishness.

"You had such wonderful dreams for this dear child and someone shattered them. This is a tragedy that I wish I had the power to undo, but I don't. I can only cry for you and with you but I still cannot feel the pain that you are going through.

"Violence has hit you like you never thought it would. No one ever wakes up thinking that they will be killed that day.

"Saturday we were all in church enjoying the blessings of the day. That night your son was celebrating a birthday dinner.

"Oh how I wish that I could turn it back for you. But I can't. All I can and will do is to pray for you and your families. I will also pray for the culprits and for justice to be swift and fair."

Grace Markham wrote: "RIP Kellon, missed and loved by many. Only the good die young."

A contributor identifying herself as Hanna M wrote: "Gone too soon. What happened was terrible but now he is in a better place. Our prayers are with the Hill family. Rest in peace Kellon."

Summing up the reaction of many shocked by another act of violence in Bermuda, Sarah Tufts-Robinson asked simply: "What the hell is going on?"

More than 70 people had paid tribute by press time last night, with comments being added by the minute.