Almost one year ago upcoming rapper from Brooklyn Pop Smoke who was already prepared to do big things, was taken away at the age of 20 due to gunman shooting him down in his own home. Now Pop Smoke’s own parents have come forward to issue a statement in partnership with I Will Graduate (a youth developing program) opposing gun violence in the country.

“On February 19th at 4 a.m., a gun was used to take my son from me. You know him as Pop Smoke, we call him Shar. Because of gun violence, I’ll never see my son run of the front of our steps, taking them two at a time. He won’t ever take my hands again and dance with me. He won’t come into my room and muscle-pose in the mirror. Gun violence destroys families. It must stop.” says the late Pop Smoke’s mother Ms. Jackson. Watch below: