"I have been crying for six years, I have been crying for my son Yusuf - I still haven't had justice."
Khadija Sonko is sat defiantly in a chair on the third floor of Merseyside Police Headquarters dabbing her tears with a tissue. The mum of Yusuf, who was shot dead six years ago today, June 2, is wearing a white t-shirt with her son's face on the front and large sunglasses to cover her eyes.
Speaking to the ECHO, Khadija, 45, said: "Can you imagine someone taking your child away from you? Who gives anyone the right to take a child away from his mother? I'm always thinking what Yusuf would be doing - he would be marrying a nice girl, having a child. I am always crying for my son."
READ MORE: Dad whose daughter died on Turkey holiday says 'we're broken forever'
Yusuf was due to sit his final A-level examination and had hoped to study business studies at university. The teenager was called "polite and kind" by his mum, who added he was "a lovely boy who was so full of life".
But on a mild summer's evening in 2017, Yusuf was struck in the head by a single bullet fired at a group standing on Tagus Street, Toxteth, just yards from the hustle and bustle of Lodge Lane. Paramedics rushed to the scene shortly after 8.30pm but couldn't save the 18-year-old who died from his catastrophic injuries.
Today marks six years since Yusuf was killed, but no-one has been charged or convicted over his death despite eight arrests and a £20,000 cash reward. Detectives believe the two offenders were on bicycles and used a 9mm handgun, opening fire and pumping five shots towards the crowd including the one that hit Yusuf. No one else was hit in the drive-by shooting.
The shooting caused devastation in Toxteth and Yusuf's grief-stricken parents Khadija and Papice have relentlessly begged for those who know what happened to come forward. Khadija told the ECHO: "The Toxteth community is around us - they still feel the pain in their heart like we do.
"Someone knows what happened but they have kept the information to themselves. I want them to put themselves in my shoes and know my pain. I am asking them to come forward and give me and my family justice.
"This is not information you keep in. Someone killed my child and someone knows who did it. Imagine if your family member died? How would your mother feel? It's not fair. I'm still sad, I still feel the pain in my heart."
Speaking at a community march in memory of Yusuf in the months after his death, his sister Abby demanded an end to the "no grass culture". Six years on, the ECHO asked Khadija if she believed a no grass culture had meant people were reluctant in coming forward with information to the police.
"People talk about being a grass, this is different," she said. "When you kill it is a different story. This is not snitching - this is murder."
Yusuf was one of a number of horrific gun murders in Merseyside in 2017 among a sharp rise in gun crime in the region. Merseyside Police told the ECHO last year that gun discharges were down - with 49 recorded in 2022. But there were five homicides including the heartbreaking murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Khadija told the ECHO she cried the day Olivia was shot dead in her Dovecot home - and the "pain brought everything back to the moment Yusuf died". She said: "It's not fair to take a child like that."
And speaking directly to young men who carry weapons on the streets of Merseyside, Khadija added: "Stay away from guns, stay away from knives, stay away from trouble. I go out in the community and speak to young men and say 'you know what I am going through with Yusuf's death'.
"I love my son, but I love all children. I don't want young boys dying. I know their mothers love them as well. I say calm yourself, don't go out and make your mum sad. Make your family proud, make them happy - you have a lot of opportunities to do some good in this life."
Despite the lack of charges in Yusuf's murder case, a man's name was repeatedly linked to the investigation. In the weeks after the shooting, Merseyside Police circulated images of then 22-year-old Toxteth man Jason Curry who was urged to hand himself in for questioning.
Curry remained at large for three years until he was arrested by Spanish police in the Costa del Sol in late 2020 in connection with a robbery which involved a 70-year-old British ex-pat being shot in the leg. The ECHO revealed earlier this year that Curry was released under investigation before being further arrested on suspicion of firearms and drug charges in the Malaga region in May last year.
The ECHO understands any extradition proceedings are not underway in relation to Yusuf's murder and Merseyside Police also previously declined to comment on Curry's status or if contact had been made with the Spanish authorities.
Merseyside Police Detective Inspector Sarah Wilkinson said: "The devastation caused by the cold-blooded murder of Yusef is still overwhelming for his family six years on today. So far eight arrests have been made and our investigation into Yusef’s death remains open with a new £20,000 reward from charity Crimestoppers in place until the gunman is found and brought to justice.
"Our detectives remain convinced there are people living in L8 and beyond who hold vital information that will help us find anyone responsible for Yusef’s death. We will review any information you share with us so please contact us immediately if you have anything that could help us bring justice for Yusef’s family.
"If you heard anything, witnessed the shooting on Friday, June 2 2017, and saw groups of young males running in the Lodge Lane area just before 8.30pm on the night, or saw two males on pedal bikes in the area before or after, please get in touch. Any information passed on to us will be handled with care and sensitivity, and we can put significant measures in place to protect those brave enough to come forward.
"Our detectives will fully assess your information and do all we can to trace any suspects. Please help us give Yusef’s family the answers they deserve after six heart-breaking years by reporting any information about that night, no matter how small, to police."
Taking off her sunglasses to reveal her tear-stained eyes, Khadija said: "What had Yousef done? The pain is so bad, it has gone on for so long. Mothers shouldn't have to go through what I have. But I will fight for my son, I will stand up for justice."
Anyone who witnessed the incident, was in the area at the time, or has any information is urged to contact us via 101, our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter. Alternatively, to stay completely anonymous and be eligible for a reward, contact independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in their simple and secure anonymous online form. The charity’s UK Contact Centre is open 24/7 on freephone 0800 555 111 where you can speak to one of their specially trained call agents.
READ NEXT:
These are the faces of 30 criminals jailed during May
Parents of 'beautiful soul' pay tribute to mum who 'lived for her children'
Nightmare tenants leave landlord with 'trash mountain'
Mum's warning after being 'surrounded' on the beach within minutes
Shoppers praise 'amazing' £29 face wash that 'really works' to clear up skin
