Ophelia Nichols, a TikTok star in Alabama, took to the social media app to announce that her son, Randon Lee, was fatally shot on Friday night in Prichard, a day before his 19th birthday.

In a tearful video, Nichols, who runs the TikTok account “shoelover99″, said, “Somebody knows who did this to my child and I’m asking for somebody’s help.”

“I have this hatred in my heart that I don’t recognize. Because I’ve never felt hate for anybody. This individual took my son’s life. He was just 18 years old, that’s the best part of somebody’s life. And I know they’re out there. In my town,” she said. 

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The shooting reportedly took place at a gas station in Prichard, a suburb of Mobile, around 8 pm local time on Friday. Authorities did not release the victim’s name but confirmed that it was an 18-year-old male. Investigation into the shooting was underway. 

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Nichols also took to Facebook to share an emotional note. 

“We are receiving an unbelievable amount of calls/text/messages regarding my baby child Randon. I don’t really have a choice other than to do this. I think of myself as this normal person who just loves on people but I forget that I have grown a family of almost 7 million via social media & I am grateful for you all. Thank you for the continued prayers for myself, my husband, my children and our family,” she wrote.

“My son was taken from us last night by the hands of another individual at just 18 years old. He would be 19 today but someone else made the decision to end my son’s life. They are walking around in my town, living and breathing while my son is not. While me and my family are grieving a loss that no mother should ever have to feel, they are free.”

“I know the days ahead are completely unknown but the only hope I have, is that this person is found and prosecuted for the murder of my son,” Nichols added.