TIKTOK star Ophelia Nichols’ opened up in a heartbreaking new video after she laid her son to rest after a tragic shooting.
Randon Lee was shot dead on June 24 in Prichard, Alabama, just hours before what should have been his 19th birthday.
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“Hey, it’s me, I’m just signing up,” begins Nichols’ video.
“It was a beautiful day today and the service was just absolutely beautiful.
“Everyone was in very nice color blues and everyone just really showed up.”
Nichols further says that her childhood friends, whom she had not seen in years, showed up for her son’s service.
“The whole chapel was packed,” she said.
“I know how beloved he was.
“He was such a good person and always made people laugh. I know he gets it from me.
“He was happy and I was proud of him.
“But I can not thank you enough for the tributes I saw for my baby, for someone you do not even know. And all the love and support.
“There are not enough thanks I could say to really show exactly how I feel and how you made my family feel,” Nichols continued, saying she realized this week how special her fans and followers are to her.
“I do not think I’m anything special, but I think I found out this week I’m – for you. And you’re special to me too.
“I promise I will not allow this bitter seed to be planted inside me to the point where it destroys the kind of heart I have.
“All I can do is have my faith and know that God is going to bring justice to my son, because my healing can really begin as soon as someone is behind bars.”
In the comments section of the video, Nichols wrote: “I have a voice that is heard all over the world. I will use my voice and Randons for something great to help others / parents / youth in my town.”
“I hope you all stand by me as I find Randon’s purpose and work to help other families who have all gone through such things.”
A MOTHER’S HEARTBREAK
Randon Lee was shot at an Exxon gas station on June 24 at about 7:45 a.m. in Prichard, Alabama.
He sustained wounds at one service station before driving down the street to another, where he was found dead moments later.
Nichols, who is known for spreading love and positivity online, made a disturbing plea to her more than seven million followers on TikTok and demanded through tears: “Someone needs to know something.”
In an emotional video posted to TikTok, she said: “I’ve never asked you for anything, but I need your help with this.
“Today would have been my baby’s 19th birthday, but he was taken away from me last night.
“Taken from my children, my husband and our family. My son was killed. He was shot,” cried Nichols, known online as Mama Tot.
“And I have this hatred in my heart that I do not recognize. Because I have never felt hatred for anyone. This individual has taken my son’s life.
“He was only 18 years old. It’s the best part of anyone’s life, and I know they’s out there in my town. They’s out there.
“They are out there living and breathing while my son is dead.”
‘HORRIBLE ACT’
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that officers are pursuing “multiple suspects” in the case, but refuses to disclose any further information at this stage, citing an ongoing investigation.
Tiffany Polzin, a friend of Nichols of Michigan, called Randon’s death a “horrible act” in an interview with The US Sun that left the family with so many questions – and very few answers.
“Ophelia lost her – as she calls him – ‘baby child’ who would turn 19,” says Polzin, who made an online friendship with Nichols a few years ago.
“He could not even live anywhere near his full life at all.
“His killer is – and I hate to use that term – still at large, but we do not know who it is, we do not know why they did it; there is nothing for Ophelia and her family at the moment. have no answers.
“Everything remains a mystery,” she added.
“It is horrible for anyone to lose a child, but Ophelia is a woman who gives herself so selflessly to others, with empathy and sympathy with those around her.
“How can anyone do that to her and her family? … she does so much for everyone else, and she absolutely loves and adores her family so much.”