Family and friends gathered Friday evening to remember a man shot and killed by an Elizabeth police officer during a police encounter last month.

Those who gathered to mourn Estiben “Stiven” Alegria-Hurtado released balloons in his memory.

The 42-year-old father was shot on July 29 when police responded to a domestic dispute between Alegria-Hurtado and a woman. Authorities say that a knife was found near Alegria-Hurtado’s body.

His family says that he never intended to use the knife.

Alegria-Hurtado died a day later.