Friends and family of shooting victim Raymond (Yankee) Rawlins gathered last night for a vigil to mark the first anniversary of his death.

His mother Sharon Coy-Rawlins called for community peace as others lit candles on Court Street, outside the Spinning Wheel, where Mr Rawlins was shot 16 times by gang member David Cox.

“I want you all to stop the violence,” said Mrs Coy-Rawlins. “Murder is never justified and life is no game.

“All I want now is for my son to rest in peace.”

Father-of-nine Mr Rawlins, who had alleged links to the criminal underworld, was a well-known face on Court Street where he lived and ran the C&R Discount Store with his father.

Police cordoned off part of Court Street from about 9pm for the vigil, and stood guard while family members paid tribute.

Preacher Scott Smith told the group: “We thank you for his life. We know he was a soldier. We want to send a message to the community that we are tired of the gun violence and the shootings.”

Cox is serving a jail sentence of at least 38 years after being found guilty of Mr Rawlins’ murder.