Among those killed was 42-year-old Yahsim Howlett.
"My son did not deserve this. You have broken me. You have broken my grandson," said his mother, Lea Howlett.
Yahsim's family described him as a devoted father, brother and provider who had worked to rebuild his life after serving time in prison.
READ MORE | Names released of 2 killed in mass shooting at unauthorized Trenton, New Jersey block party
Names released of 2 killed in mass shooting at Trenton block party
"He was a great father. He was a great brother. He was someone I idolized. He was everything to our family," said his brother, Kyzir Carmichael.
Carmichael said Yahsim had arrived at the party moments before the shooting.
"I literally talked to him for three minutes, and three minutes later a young lady is telling me he is on the ground fighting for his life," he said.
Just hours before the shooting, Yahsim was recognized at the Operation Capital City awards ceremony for rebuilding his life after prison. Family members said he had established a successful career in the trucking industry, cared for his family and continued to pursue new goals.
In a video shown during the broadcast, Howlett said, "I'm here to tell ya'll, you can't give up."
Operation Capital City founder and Yahsim's cousin, Omar Aikens, said the recognition was intended to celebrate achievements and personal growth.
"I tried to create something for us to be proud of, give us our flowers while we're here, and it's sad how it ended," Aikens said.
Family members said Howlett believed his past did not define him and often focused on the future, especially when it came to his son, Anthony.
"My dad was a great man. He taught me to be strong," Anthony Howlett said. "He always made sure I was able to live the best life that I could."
"Everything he did was for his family, for his son so his son could reap better benefits, have a better life than he had," Carmichael said.
Ikea Swindell, the mother of Howlett's son, described him as "a wonderful father, and it took a lot of weight off of my shoulder as mother."
Before Howlett walked off the event stage, he shared this with the audience: "Before I leave, I'm going to tell y'all this, God has blessed me and I'm doing good now," he said.
As the family mourns, Carmichael said his brother's memory will endure.
"My brother knows I love him, and he knew that to the very moment he took his last breath. I love him and I want him to know who he is will never be forgotten, because a man of his caliber can never be forgotten, and his legacy is going to live on through his family, and most of all my nephew, his son," he said.
Three victims remain in critical condition.
Police said no arrests have been made. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators.