Many people here in eastern Kentucky are remembering Christopher Tolliver as a talented and gifted young man, even from his early days at Cawood High School in Harlan County.

When Christopher Tolliver graduated from Cawood High school in 1995, his teachers say he was already making a mark in the music world.

They say it is hard to believe such a talented person is now gone.

Pam Holcomb says Christopher Tolliver was one of those students she will always remember.

“Without a doubt, he was the most talented man I ever taught,” Holcomb said.

She says as a Junior at Cawood High School, Tolliver was already a talented singer and composer.

So talented, he was already driving from Putney in Harlan County, to Lexington to study music.

She remembers when a UK orchestra performed one of his early works.

”While he was still in high school, it was absolutely phenomenal,” Holcomb said.

We found a sampling of some of his award winning work on his website.

“It really saddens me greatly to think that beauty, talent and sweetness are gone from the world,” Alexa Bowman said.

Those who remember him growing up, are having a hard time believing he's gone.

Pam Holcomb says she was actually in Lexington Thursday and thought about Chris, but didn't know about the shooting until she got back to Harlan County Thursday night.

Funeral arrangements for Chris Tolliver are set.