Local mother starts foundation after son was murdered to help other mothers experiencing grief

ATLANTA — A local mother, who understands the pain of losing a child to gun violence, is trying to help other mothers get through that same feeling.

Aramis Peterson, 27, was shot and killed in January 2017, near what Is now the Mercedes Benz Stadium.

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Peterson’s mother recalled the moment she saw her son, shot, on the ground.

“I just...it was just unbelievable. I still couldn’t believe it until I got there to the scene. Really hard,” said Peterson’s mom.

She said a young man robbed him and shot him in the back.

“My grandson was left in the car nearby and he witnessed it,” she said.

Although it’s been years since his death, each day is a struggle to get through.

“I promised myself if God would just allow me to get through this and the trial, that I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to help parents,” said Peterson’s mother.

And that’s why she started the ‘Aramis Peterson and Juicy Foundation’ in honor of her son.

“JUICY is acronym for Justice for innocent crying and youth. I wanted to do an intervention when my son was killed, because I had to walk through this process alone,” she said.

Since then, she’s able to help other mothers, who are experiencing the same pain and the same grief. She helped 38 families by providing resources for counseling, advice on how to seek justice and at times, just a listening ear.

“We pray together a lot. If they want to scream at two at night, I’m there,” she said.

It’s a feeling, that she doesn’t wish on her worst enemy.

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“It’s been six years and it still hits me like it happened yesterday. It’s a process. One day it maybe up, the next it maybe down,” she said.

But no matter how hard the grieving process can get, she said she can’t stop and she won’t stop, helping those who need her.

“The good thing about it. I can say, I know how you feel,” said Peterson’s mother.

For more information on the foundation, click here.

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