The heartbroken family of a popular teen killed on a Liverpool street have urged anyone who can help them find justice to come forward.
University-hopeful Yusuf Sonko was shot in the head as a flurry of bullets were fired in Toxteth.
Today, on what would have been his 21st birthday, his parents called for support in their battle to identify his killer.
Yusuf's mum, Khadija, told the ECHO: "I just want justice for my boy, and I haven't got justice.
"He would be turning 21 today, he should be here, enjoying his birthday, but he's not here to celebrate."
Yusuf was killed in the summer of 2017.
The 18-year-old, who had studied at Childwall Sports and Science Academy, was standing with friends in Tagus Street, just off Lodge Lane, when a male approached on pushbike at around 8.30pm on June 2.
A flurry of shots were fired towards the group, with a bullet from a self-loading pistol striking Yusuf in the head.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief in Toxteth and across Liverpool.
The murder scene quickly became a shrine to celebrate his memory and his family, supported by community leaders, marched from L8 to the city centre in a public plea for the wall of silence surrounding Yusuf's death to be broken.
A £20,000 reward for information leading to the killer's conviction remains on offer.
But, despite a number of arrests and an appeal for help tracing Jason Curry, who detectives believe could have key information about the shooting, no-one has been held to account.
Asked what message she would send to her son's murderer, Khadija said: "I just want justice, I just want answers about the death of my son.
"They still have cold blood on their hands.
"Wherever they are they are never going to have peace because blood is very thick.
"It is not fair. They need to come give themselves up, otherwise they are never going to have rest.
"They are never going to have peace.
"Yusuf will be 21, he should be here to celebrate his birthday. It's not right that somebody took his life - nobody gets the right to do that.
"They should face what they have done to my son.
"I'm sad. I'm more sad now. Twenty one is a big day and I'm heartbroken."
Today, a vigil will take place at Tiber Square on Lodge Lane between 5pm and 6.30pm, during which a number of speeches are planned.
On Saturday, March 7, a fundraising event will take place at Liverpool Caribbean Centre on Upper Parliament Street, with raffle prizes donated by the local community.
All proceeds raised through ticket, food, and raffle sales will be donated to the local community village in Senegal which Yusuf last visited in February 2017. Children are welcome between 7pm-9pm and the event will then continue until late.
Appealing for information that could progress Merseyside Police's investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Baker said: “These events are a poignant reminder of a life taken too soon.
"We stand alongside Yusuf's family in our determination to bring those who took his life to justice.
"As time passes, we share the family’s frustration and belief that information still lies within the community in which they still live, and raising awareness is key to getting through to these people exactly what justice would mean for his family and the wider community, who share our resolve in removing those who use dangerous weapons on the streets.
“We know too that people who may hold the answers could now be in a different situation, live elsewhere, and feel that now is the time to come forward. If this is you, I want to assure you that there are many ways to get the information to us.
“We know that people don’t always feel comfortable speaking directly to the police but there are other ways to help.
"Your information will be treated with sensitivity and, if you go via Crimestoppers, anonymously. Measures can be put in place to protect those who tell us what they know.
“Extensive enquiries continue day-to-day, and we continue to seek the whereabouts of Jason Curry, an individual with whom we still seek to speak as a priority.
"We believe that Jason, who also frequents Wrexham in North Wales and Cumbria, may have important information which could help us with our investigation and I would urge him, or anyone who knows of his whereabouts, to contact us as soon as possible.”
In an open letter to the community, Khadija, along with Yusuf's dad Papice Sonko, wrote: "We are appealing to you mother to mother, father to father, sister and brother, please help us, please come forward with information.
"Our community must break this wall of silence. It just takes one person to do the right thing.
"Put yourselves in our position, what would you want if it was your child or family member who was killed?"
*Anyone who witnessed the incident, or holds any information, is urged to contact Merseyside Police via Twitter (@MerPolCC), by calling 101, or leaving information, anonymously, with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online
