A man accused of fatally shooting an Iona College freshman appeared in court Monday, as the victim's loved ones were planning the student's funeral.

Friends and family packed a New Rochelle courtroom in support of Stivenson Desir during his hearing. Desir walked into the courtroom and shook his head. His attorney said the 19-year-old doesn't have a criminal record, and he doesn't understand why he was charged.

Desir is charged with murder in the shooting death of acquaintance Brandon Lawrence, 19, who some say was Desir's friend for years. Prosecutors say the two were at a party last week and then drove with others to New Rochelle's Lincoln Park, where a fight broke out. Police say Lawrence wasn't the intended target.

A woman sitting in the court sobbed throughout the hearing.

"This case is going to go to a preliminary hearing on Friday," said defense attorney Allan Focarile. "Hopefully, we'll have some indication of what type of evidence they have."

Meanwhile, Lawrence's relatives and friends are grieving the former Lincoln High School basketball player. They paid tribute to him at a memorial last week. 

Lawrence's funeral will be May 7 at the Yonkers Central Church of God.