Days before the one year anniversary of Aquil Richardson's death, his mother Shahida Abdur-Rahim says she has found peace despite the loss of her only child.

Mr. Richardson, 30, was fatally gunned down while sitting on a wall in the Camp Hill, Southampton area around 9 p.m. on Boxing Day.

This week, Ms Abdur-Rahim spoke to The Royal Gazette about the tragedy that changed her life.

"I will never forget that night. Aquil was very happy during the daytime. Before he left the house for the evening, he patted me on my head and called me 'Shahida'. He would do that when he was in a good mood.

"I chuckled and he was off. Everything was going well until I got the news that Aquil was shot while with his friends on Boxing Day."

Antoine Herbert Anderson, 31, and Phillip Anthony Bradshaw, 26, a Jamaican national, have been charged with the murder. Their trial is set for January 26 of next year. "We got the news at about 9 p.m.," Ms Abdur-Rahim continued. "We rushed to meet the ambulance at the hospital.

"I remember seeing Aquil being taken out of the ambulance and his eyes were open. I thought he must be alive if his eyes were opened and the sirens were still on. He had passed before reaching the hospital."

Ms Abdur-Rahim was with Jimika, the mother of two of Mr. Richardson's children, nine-year-old Jahquae, and three-year-old Aquiyei, when she found out her son had been shot.

Mr. Richardson had a third child, Quilahn, also three years old.

At the hospital, Ms Abdur-Rahim told the doctor that she needed to see her son immediately and said: "I just wanted to say a prayer and tell him that I loved him very much. I had to tell him that he will be in good hands."

Leading up to her son's funeral, Mr. Richardson's friends were in and out of the home she shared with him.

She said she wanted to make them comfortable and let them know everything would be OK.

Ms Abdur-Rahim added: "I even had a smile on my face when he was lowered into his grave. I knew that he was at peace."

She has had a difficult time without her only child, his mother confided.

"This past year has not been easy for me. People say that I am very strong but they don't know that when I come home from work, my house is very lonely without Aquil being there.

"Everyday I think about him. There is always something to remind me of him.

"I think about the way he would smile at me whenever I drove past him and his friends. He always knew that I was going to stop to say a few words to him.

She continued: "I have my moments when I cry by myself. Mostly when I am looking at photos of him on my computer.

"Life without my only son is not the same. I have had to make some adjustments in my life.

"I have gained strength through prayer and perseverance to deal with everyday life now."

Ms Abdur-Rahim said Jahquae and Aquiyei often cry because they miss their father so much.

She explained Jahquae was born with cystic fibrosis and dealing with the death of her father is "troubling" for her.

And despite what many people may think, her son wasn't involved in any of the Island's various gangs, Ms Abdur-Rahim insisted.

"There are some folks who say that he deserved what he got because of his lifestyle, but I say to them no one deserves to die the way Aquil did.

"Aquil was not involved in the "Town" and "Country" feud and I know that because he had friends from town.

"He often shopped and had his hair done in town. He was also a member of the Olympic Club and often worked out there," she added.

Ms Abdur-Rahim said: "I only hope and pray that (whomever) the perpetrators (are, that they) are remorseful for what they have done and seek forgiveness for their actions.

"I wish that some day they would come to me and apologise for taking Aquil's life, even if it was unintentional.

"I feel very sick that someone would take Aquil's life without any thought of the impact that it has left on his loved ones."

Ms Abdur-Rahim added: "To the parents of other 'lost' children, I do feel your pain. I don't wish it on anyone.

"It's a hard thing to lose a child, especially your only child.

"During this holiday season I wish for peace on the Island and encourage all mothers of young men to love them and never put others before them.

'They need your love and attention. Aquil was loved and I am at peace with that."

A party in Mr. Richardson's memory will be held on Saturday at Southampton Rangers Club, hosted by his friends.