Zafir Mikal Covington

It is with a heavy heart that I write and share a life size cut-out photo of my 26 year old nephew Zafir Mikal Covington  who was shot multiple times on my birthday  (September 9th) and passed away on his daughters second birthday (September 30th).   He was laid to rest on October 12.  This campaign is to help my sister Zina and Zafir's father Michael close the gap on the remaining funeral expenses.  Neither was prepared to bury a child.  Any extra will go to his kids.         Sunday morning (9/9) Zafir was walking down a street in SW Philadelphia when he noticed a vehicle following him.   After a few blocks the 3 occupants approached Zafir - an argument then fight ensued.   One of the guy's pulled out a gun and said "take 5 of these!" then proceeded to shoot Zafir 6 times in broad daylight.  Zafir ran and collapsed on the steps of a nearby home.    For the next 3 weeks Zafir fought hard for his life.    He underwent numerous surgeries (approx. 10) in an attempt to put him back together again.  During this time he was in various states of consciousness from up talking with friends and family to medically induced unconsciousness.     God gave his loved ones 3 weeks to the day to enjoy him before taking him home. On Sept 30th my sister Zina received the dreaded call that no mother or father should have to experience - "your son passed away!"     No matter what your politics we are losing too many young lives to senseless gun violence!    Something has to done to curtail the violence and sense of hopelessness in our inner cities.    The streets in our inner cities are bathed in our young folks blood daily.   But to Zafir's friend's  -  it is time to WAKE UP!   I know some of you are angry,  some of you are sad and some of you may feel that revenge on any level is the key.   For those of you who may be seeking revenge, I am here to tell you that not only is revenge not the key,  but it belongs to God and God alone.    Negative thoughts, emotions and/or actions only hurt one person - yourself!   Don't break your mothers hearts into a thousand of pieces by getting incarcerated or getting yourself killed in the streets of Philadelphia -    The City with No Brotherly Love!    DO NOT TAKE REVENGE IN THE NAME OF ZAFIR OR HIS FAMILY!!!!  If you want to honor Zafir honor him, yourself and your families, by living a life that is pleasing to God and your fellow man.    Please him by making it off the "block" and doing something positive with your lives.  Please him by being that father, that uncle, that cousin, that mentor to the four kid's he has left behind.   Step in and step up because he no longer can.    That would honor him....... more importantly that would honor God!! Lastly,  please keep Zafir's kids,  mother Zina, father Michael, family and friend's in your thoughts and prayer's.       Thanks, Mikael Collins