Terrence Ali: Remembering hope, prevention in Toronto Special

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By KJ Mullins

Aug 4, 2011 in Crime

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By KJ Mullins.

Toronto - A mole. Eight years ago a mole was all that a mother had to identify her young son by eight long years ago. Today that mother, Moonie Ali, and the family and friends of Terrence Ali gathered to remember his life.

They gathered at Terrence's forever home, Section 6, Grave 87 at Duffin Meadows Cemetery in Pickering, Ontario.

Life is not always fair, sometimes evil comes to innocents.

Shane Mullins

Remembering Terrence Ali, killed eight years ago in Toronto at the age of 15.

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Toronto Police Service Chaplain Rev Walter Kelly prayed at Terrence's graveside today for everyone to help those facing injustice and give hope that goodwill will overcome evil.

Terrence Ali was just 15 when his life came to a violent end. He was so badly beaten by three men that his head was separated from his skeleton, held on only by muscle and skin according to the coroner.

Two adults had been in an argument with the young boy the night before at a Caribana party. The next day Jason Habibullah, Raymond Mackhan and a 17-year-old attacked Terrence leaving his beaten body on the shores of Lake Ontario in Scarborough August 4, 2003.

Shane Mullins

Remembering Terrence Ali, killed eight years ago in Toronto at the age of 15.

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Today as she has for the past eight years Moonie Ali went to Duffin Gardens to remember her baby. She was joined by family and friends including Eric Babooram, Terrence's best friend. The numbers that join her have shrunk throughout the years.

There is a message that Moonie Ali wants to be clear, she doesn't want any other parent to face the violent death of their children.

"No one deserves this," Moonie said with tears flowing.

Shane Mullins

Remembering Terrence Ali, killed eight years ago in Toronto at the age of 15.

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Melinda Champagne said that parents need to teach their children to be kind.

As she picked up her grandson she stressed, "Don't think about yourself. Don't think about your shoes. Don't think about BET. Think about your mother, your father, your grandparents and your kids. Because BET doesn't give a shit about you."

Shane Mullins

Remembering Terrence Ali, killed eight years ago in Toronto at the age of 15.

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Eric Babooram remembered how Terrence always made him laugh. He still, eight years later, has no words for the situation that had one of the killers being allowed to serve out his sentence on house arrest.

"Justice came for a second and then it was gone."

Rev. Kelly told those gathered to be a Watchman looking on the outside looking on what's coming in trying to take our families and teens.

"We have a responsibility to look over and take care of our families and teens."

Moonie Ali's work is not done. She will walk the streets of Toronto later this fall as she has done for eight years in the Walk for Justice for Our Murdered Children. She will raise her voice for Terrence and all the other young in Toronto who's lives have been snuffed out before they had a chance to really live.

And she will cry. Her baby died eight years ago.

It's time to step up and stop the violence.