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TikTok star's son murdered on the day before his 19th birthday

A TikTok star has shared the heartbreaking news that her son has been murdered, pleading with her followers to help find his killer.

Ophelia Nichols, who runs popular TikTok account @shoelover99, told her 6.9 million followers that her son, Randon Lee, was killed on Friday – the day before his 19th birthday.

Randon was shot at a petrol station in Mobile, in the US state of Alabama, but was able to drive across the street where he died, local media outlet FOX10 reported.

Ophelia Nichols cries as she holds a picture of her son, who was killed in a shooting the night before.
Ophelia Nichols lost her son in a shooting on Friday night in Alabama. Source: TikTok/GoFundMe

“He was 18 years old, that’s the best part of somebody’s life,” a tearful Ms Nichols said.

“And I know they’re out there in my town. They’re out there living and breathing when my son is dead.”

Ms Nichols begged her followers for help, saying “somebody’s got to know something”.

“I’ve never asked y’all for anything, but I need your help with this,” she said.

In an update posted to the comments, the grieving mum said investigators now have a lead on two individuals.

“I hope they see this video and know what they have done to my family,” she wrote.

GoFundMe target smashed in matter of hours

A GoFundMe page for the family has raised more than US$165,000 in just 12 hours, with hundreds of messages of support flooding the fundraiser.

“I am so sorry you have to go through this. it doesn’t seem fair that a person who gives so much light to others should have to deal with something as dark as this,” one person wrote.

“I cannot imagine the pain you're going through. I am so sorry,” another said.

“Thank you for being one of the sweetest women I have ever met on Tik Tok. I am so incredibly sorry your beautiful son was taken from you,” a third wrote.

Randon’s funeral is planned for July 2.

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