Inspiring Young Talent Tragically Lost: Zahmire Lopez, a Gifted 8-Year-Old, Falls Victim to Senseless Tragedy

Lil Zah, G., that's my name.

Bout to hop on this beat.

At the top,

You cant take my spot.

Im all the way up,

You cannot.

Delivered in an excited pre-pubescent voice, this untitled rap song is a lasting memory of the joy and bravado 8-year-old Zahmire Lopez always brought to the world.

"I was in complete awe when I heard it," Leontine Niangara, his mother, expressed to CNN. "It's as if it's an authentic composition. I believe it spans at least two minutes. Therefore, I am fully supportive!"

There won't be anything quite like it. Zahmire, also known as "Zah," tragically lost his life in May at his residence in Newark, New Jersey.

Zahmire is among the over 1,300 children and adolescents who have been fatally shot in the United States this year, as reported by the Gun Violence Archive. In 2020, firearms took the top spot as the leading cause of death for young people in America, surpassing motor vehicle accidents which previously held that position for a considerable period.

"It is extremely difficult," expressed Niangara. "There isn't an hour that passes by where I don't think about him. It is a constant struggle. Some believe that with time it becomes less painful, but that is not the case."

Leontine Niangara described her son Zahmire Lopez as her "shadow."

Courtesy Leontine Niangara

What happened in the shooting

The shooting occurred at Niangara's residence in Newark on the evening of May 3, as stated by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. Law enforcement received a 911 call reporting that individuals had been shot inside a residence on Johnson Avenue and arrived at the scene shortly after 8:30 p.m. During their search, authorities discovered Zahmire with gunshot wounds. He was subsequently transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 9:14 p.m., according to the office.

Please read about other children who have lost their lives to gun violence. Wyleek Shaw, aged 27, was among those who tragically lost their lives in the incident, as confirmed by the Essex County Prosecutors Office. Tajion Simmons, aged 24 and from Fords, New Jersey, sustained non-fatal injuries and received medical treatment, the office stated.

Police officers encountered a man, later identified as 29-year-old Everett Rand, outside his home. According to the NJ Attorney General's Office, Rand was seen leaving and disposing of an item in a dumpster. The officers pursued him and, during the chase, two officers shot at Rand, resulting in his fatal injuries. The scene yielded a handgun that was not owned by law enforcement, and a semi-automatic handgun with a large capacity magazine was subsequently discovered in the dumpster.

On September 18, the office released footage captured from four police body-worn cameras, showcasing the intense foot chase and subsequent shooting incident. Following the shooting, an officer swiftly kicked away a handgun from Rand, while another officer informed his fellow colleagues, "I was fired at, but I managed to shoot him," as depicted in the footage. The investigation into the matter is currently in progress.

Niangara identified Rand, her boyfriend, as the suspected shooter. She mentioned that Rand had been spending a significant amount of time with her son during school drop-offs and hair appointments. Additionally, Shaw was mentioned as Rand's best friend.

According to Niangara, the shooting occurred rapidly and she believed that Rand was under the influence of drugs.

"We burst into laughter until the sound of gunshots abruptly shattered our joy," she recounted.

"Not everyone's body or mind can withstand the effects of drugs, or predictably anticipate their reaction. Unfortunately, my body happened to respond unfavorably," she further explained.

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A mother and her shadow

Zahmire's death was especially challenging for her due to his premature birth and his tiny size of just 1 pound and 8 ounces at birth.

"After struggling to even come into this world, it is absolutely devastating that his life was cut short," she expressed.

Zahmire and Niangara were inseparable in life, with Niangara considering Zahmire as her constant companion. Known for his charismatic and outgoing personality, Zahmire was the center of attention at every gathering, bringing laughter and energy with his comedic performances and lively dance moves. Recently, he marked his 8th birthday in January by embarking on a thrilling adventure to the American Dream Water Park in East Rutherford, New Jersey, accompanied by his closest friends and beloved cousins.

Zahmire loved flag football and was excited to begin playing tackle football.

Courtesy Leontine Niangara

He loved to play basketball and football, and he was particularly excited to put on pads and a helmet and play tackle football this year. Perhaps too excited.

"Occasionally, they had to caution him, Zahmire, you're playing flag football. There's no need to get overly thrilled," Niangara remarked.

Following his passing, Zahmire's football team gifted his mother with the equipment and helmet that he would have soon owned. "They understood the immense desire Zahmire had to participate in tackle football," his mother expressed.

More about Zahmire Lopez

Death: May 3, 2023.

Age at death: 8 years old.

Cause: Gun violence.

Zahmire had a deep fondness for music, football, and his family, but his greatest joy came from his loyal companion, Ghost, a gentle blue nose pitbull. However, it took some time for Zahmire to develop this special bond.

"Zahmire used to have a fear of dogs, so I decided to get one to help him overcome his fear," his mother explained. "And it truly worked."

Niangara, a nurse at University Hospital in Newark, feels a profound sense of loneliness since his passing, and now her own house serves as a constant reminder of her loss.

"I initially didn't want to relocate as this was the place where he spent his final moments, and I didn't want to part ways with his memory," she expressed. "However, for my mental well-being, I believe it's necessary to move on because every time I close my eyes, I am haunted by that dreadful night."

She is left with cherished memories, supported by the presence of photos, videos, and, without a doubt, the rap song. In one section of Zahmires rap, he presented a verse that currently holds a heartbreakingly prophetic meaning.

"Yeah, I go by the name of Lil Zah," G

One day Imma be on TV.