In what was part tribute, part call to action and part appeal for help, about 80 people gathered outside a downtown nightclub yesterday to honor Rio-Jarell Tatum, a 19-year-old college student who was gunned down nearby during a robbery last week.

"Rio is our hero," they chanted.

"Enough is enough," they sang.

Some wore T-shirts emblazoned with Tatum's name and a photograph taken at his prom last year, along with the words: "Never question the Lord's doings. Just always respect his intent."

"Rio was a young man we could all be proud of," said the Rev. Willie Ray, chairman and founder of Save Another Youth Inc. and Stop the Killing Coalition, who led last night's vigil.

Tatum was a 2001 graduate of Polytechnic Institute, where he was captain of two varsity teams and a member of the honor society. He had just returned home to Baltimore after his freshman year at Pennsylvania State University when he was shot and killed during a robbery May 26.

He and a friend had parked their car in the 400 block of Paca St. and were walking to the Tunnel nightclub when they were accosted by two men. Tatum was shot as he tried to escape the robbery, which netted the assailants about $10 and other items from his pocket. His friend escaped unscathed.

Police have criticized the Tunnel for attracting violence during the past year. Police said the robbers were likely preying on patrons of the club.

The Tunnel's landlord, Jay A. Benjamin, made an unexpected appearance at last night's vigil, which ended after a short march outside the club in the 300 block of N. Eutaw St. Benjamin said his club was not to blame for the killing about two blocks away.

"It makes me angry to see people use the death of a young man very much like myself," Benjamin said.

Benjamin said he hires off-duty police to patrol within 100 feet of the club's doors. The vigil began with pleas by Tatum's family for help solving the crime, included prayers and songs, and ended with the lighting of candles.

Tatum's mother and family members asked the robbers to surrender to authorities and for witnesses to cooperate with police. Detectives have released two composite sketches of the suspected assailants. No arrests have been made.

Family members also announced the establishment of a scholarship fund and encouraged people to donate money to boost the police reward being offered for information about the crime.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call homicide detectives at 410-396-2100. Police are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of suspects.