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Family of Salem State student killed accept diploma in his honor

SALEM, Mass. — The family of a Salem State University student killed earlier this month remembered his life on what should've been his graduation day.

Christopher Joyce was one of the two victims gunned down in the Jackson Square area of Jamaica Plain on May 4th.

On Saturday, Salem State University held a moment of silence for Joyce after calling his name during the ceremony. The crowd of students and families gave him a standing ovation as his parents accepted his diploma on his behalf.

Dozens of family members came to Joyce's graduation to show support and carry on his legacy.

"To see my sister and my brother-in-law go up on stage, was like 'wow, Chris really did it, his parents are going to continue where Chris left off at,' so this was a setback for us but, as a family we’re moving on," said Natasha Steele, Joyce's aunt.

>> RELATED: Man held without bail in fatal JP shootings

Joyce earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.The college student and 58-year-old Clayborn Blair, a father and Navy veteran, were shot and killed just two weeks before Joyce was set to graduate.

Boston Police arrested Wilvin Guity, 28, for the shootings, saying Joyce and Blair were innocent bystanders.

Guity was arraigned earlier this week and charged with two counts of murder and held without bail.