LOUISVILLE, Ky. — “We’ve been so inspired by his work and his voice,” Brittany Loewen said of her late brother Tyler Gerth. Gerth was shot and killed Saturday, June, 27 at Jefferson Square Park in downtown Louisville. 

Gerth, an avid photographer, was capturing images of the protests, as he had many times before when a man opened fire on the crowd. 23-year-old Steven Lopez was later arrested by Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) for Gerth’s murder. 

“I think he was incredibly moved and inspired by what’s going on in our nation and in our city and I think captivated him,” oldest sister Loewen adds. Gerth’s other sister Tiffany Hensley says he was following and documenting the protests because he had seen first-hand examples of inequality. 

“With my husband being Black and my kids are brown his family is the ones who are now seeing social and racial injustices and he wanted to see that changed for them. His last text to me was one of his biggest things he constantly said, 'I just want the world to be a better place for your boys,'" Hensley explains. 

“It’s the unimaginable. It’s unthinkable. We are holding together, I would say. We are clinging to our faith. We place our trust in Jesus and we feel very held, Loewen said.” 

Sisters Loewen and Hensley tell Spectrum News 1 a private service for Tyler is happening this Friday which would have been his 28 birthday. 

“We truly believe there has to be purpose behind this and we believe that purpose is exactly the role Tyler played in our family and that is bringing people together.” 

A public memorial to remember Tyler Gerth is being planned according to family members and Spectrum News 1 will share those when that information becomes available.