LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- There are many photos of Ki'Anthony Tyus, usually easily identified by his big smile, but it's a photo of his presents left unwrapped under the Christmas tree that breaks his family's heart.
"Through all the pain that [Tyus's grandmother] was enduring, she wanted to let me know she wasn't going to let anybody to unwrap those presents," family friend Christopher 2X said.
Tyus was killed last Saturday when the car he was riding in crashed into a pole on Fern Valley Road during a police chase. According to LMPD, the black Lexus SUV had been reported stolen.
His family said they still don't know what he was doing in the car. According to 2X, Tyus had told his grandmother he was going to go skating that afternoon.
"It's been really an unbearable week for them," 2X said. "You can't measure in weight the magnitude of the loss."
On Sunday, Ki'Anthony's family and loved ones are inviting people to meet at Ballard Park at 3:30 p.m. to remember him. In June of 2015, Ki'Anthony was shot during a drive-by while playing basketball.
The then 9-year-old turned that pain into a shortened career in activism as he used his story to encourage peace in his community.
"Clear as day, he was proud to wear that shirt - 'Put down the guns. We want our city back,'" 2X said.
It was during his recovery when Tyus first met Percy Miller, known better as Master P. Miller was drawn to the youngster's passion for basketball, but more importantly, his heart to help others.
"Even in his days where he was not feeling his best, you could still see a lot of hope in him that didn't allow you to give up on him," 2X said.
After Tyus's death, 2X reached out to Master P with the news. That's when the media mogul decided to pay for Ki'Anthony's funeral, writing in part on an Instagram post, "We should have been preparing this kid for college not a funeral."
Tyus's visitation will be at G.C. Williams Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The funeral will be held at Cornerstone Church in West Louisville on Thursday, Jan. 3 at 11 a.m.