BOSTON -- An 8-year-old boy who was accidentally shot to death by his 7-year-old cousin was laid to rest Friday.

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported that well before the funeral service began, the Greater Love Tabernacle filled with the sounds of crying.

Liquarry Jefferson was shot in the stomach Sunday night while playing with his younger cousin. The cousin found the illegal handgun in the family's Dorchester apartment. The victim died three days after finishing first grade.

"I hope the community wakes up. These are our kids, and they are our future," one mourner said.

"Liquarry was loved by everybody," the victim's grandfather, Tyrone Grayson, said.

The child was shot in his half-brother's bedroom. The 15-year-old was taken into the custody of the Department of Youth Services, waiting trial for a prior gun charge. He was allowed to attend the funeral service.

"It symbolizes what is going on with the guns, and it's just really out of control," mourner Darryl Lee said.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino also paid his respects to the family.