"We lost a champion in our community," said Arnita Miles of Winston-Salem, who helped organized the vigil and is a friend of Sampson. "We want to honor him today. We need to unite and stop gun violence in Winston-Salem."

Miles encouraged the attendees to remember Sampson, who was a husband, a father and a son. Sampson worked as a barber at the Supreme Legacy Barbershop in Hanes Mall.

Miles then read a statement from Sampson's wife, Keyia Sampson, at the vigil.

"I want justice for my husband," the statement said in part. "He didn't deserved to be slaughtered."

Angelica Bacote of Winston-Salem, Sampson's god-sister, said she cried Tuesday when she learned about Sampson's death.

Her 5-year-old son, Nolan, then asked her, "Who's going to cut my hair now," Bacote said.

Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. of Forsyth County said he visited with Sampson's family members earlier on Wednesday.

"I'm angry," Kimbrough said. "We've got to stand together strong. We can't be divided. I'm with you."

April Wright of Winston-Salem questioned why Sampson died.