The tragic story of Ajike Owens, a mother of four fatally shot by her neighbor after a dispute over her kids playing outside, captured national attention. Her death in June 2023 left a profound void, but her spirit lives on through her four children—Isaac, Israel, Afrika, and Titus. In the more than two years since losing their mother, these siblings have been on a heartbreaking yet resilient journey, navigating immense grief while being raised by their grandmother, Pamela Dias. Their story is one of unimaginable loss, but also of a family’s determination to turn pain into purpose and keep their mother’s legacy alive.
Ajike “AJ” Owens’ kids—Isaac, 14, Israel, 12, Afrika, 9, and Titus, 6—range in age from their early teens to just a toddler when their mother’s life was taken. Today, they are being raised by their grandmother, Pamela Dias, who has stepped in to provide them with a loving and stable home. Dias has been open about the profound impact their mother’s death has had on each of them, sharing that the children have shown incredible strength while also grappling with a pain no child should ever have to endure.
The family’s healing journey involves professional support, with Isaac receiving trauma therapy and Dias looking into counseling for Israel as well. In the weeks following the tragedy, the youngest, Titus, was described as “confused, irritable, and inconsolable,” a heartbreaking reaction from a child who was just a toddler when he lost his mother.
You Might Like: When Was the East Wing of the White House Built?
In Memory of Ajike Owens: Carrying Forward a Mother’s Love
The emotional toll on the kids, particularly the two oldest boys, has been complex and profound. Both Isaac and Israel witnessed the traumatic events leading to their mother’s death, and heartbreakingly, both have confessed to feeling responsible for what happened.
Their grandmother, Pamela, has shared that Israel, who was only nine at the time, believes in his soul that it was his fault, while the eldest, Isaac, who was twelve, blames himself for not being able to save his mother or administer CPR. These heavy feelings of guilt are a painful burden for the young boys to carry, even as their family reassures them of their innocence.
Despite their grief, the children actively work to keep their mother’s memory alive. On the first anniversary of AJ’s death, her kids recited a poem at a memorial service, a touching tribute to the woman they loved. In a particularly moving moment, one of them read a poem that included the line, “My mom is my hero. Forever will she be in my heart.” Their grandmother often reflects on the values her daughter instilled in them, noting that she can see AJ’s “kindness, her love, her faith” in her grandchildren, confirming that they carry a piece of their mother wherever they go.
Also See: Where is MLB Star George Springer From?
Through a family-led non-profit called the Standing in the Gap Fund, co-founded by Dias, the family is transforming their grief into action. The organization supports other families affected by gun and racial violence, ensuring that the story of Ajike Owens is not defined by tragedy, but by the transformation and hope she continues to inspire.
