Vincent Stoetzel spent his summers handing out water bottles, volunteering at free car washes and offering to pray for strangers.

On Wednesday, the 29-year-old father of four was shot and killed at Carter Lumber on Reading Road in Mason, where he worked. Now the community that knew him as "Vinny" is focused on the life he built, not the violence that ended it.

"You left a conversation with Vinny, you left like you could conquer the world. You just felt so encouraged," Tyron Whittaker, lead pastor at Heart Church, told WLWT on Wednesday.

Whittaker, who founded the nondenominational church in September 2022 after serving 13 years as a youth pastor in South Africa, described Stoetzel as a fixture on Sunday mornings. Stoetzel rallied children in the parking lot with welcome signs and was the first person to greet families at the door, Whittaker said.

A mentor to young people

Lori Bowling, who knew Stoetzel from a church they previously attended together, said he had a particular gift with kids.

Bowling told WLWT that young people are trying to find a place in the world and feel needed, and that Stoetzel filled that role naturally. She said he joined youth group outings and connected easily with her son Mason. Boys especially gravitated toward him, Whittaker said, because he would play sports and games with them without hesitation.

Summer outreach

Stacey Smith, who grew up with Stoetzel, told FOX19 that his volunteer work was deliberate and personal.

"He dedicated his summers to doing volunteer outreach," Smith said. "He always wanted to show God's love in practical ways, so handing out bottles of ice-cold water, volunteering at free car washes, offering to pray for people."

Stoetzel's sister told FOX19 he was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and always had a smile on his face.

What happened

Court records state Stoetzel was shot approximately 22 times inside a warehouse at Carter Lumber around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday.

David Cohen, 34, of Cincinnati, has been charged with aggravated murder. Cohen is a former employee of Carter Lumber, according to WLWT, which cited unnamed sources. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive.

Cohen was arrested less than an hour after the shooting on westbound Interstate 275. Prosecutors are asking that he be held without bond. A bond hearing is scheduled for Monday.

Carter Lumber said in a statement that the company is cooperating with the investigation and focused on supporting its employees.

How to help

A GoFundMe campaign titled "Lifting Up Maddie and Her Family in Love," organized by Kelley Earls, has been set up to support Stoetzel's wife and four children. More information about Heart Church is available at heartchurchusa.com.