Friends and family of Brandon Makins, gathered this afternoon at a backyard memorial to remember the 33-year-old father, who was shot and killed a week ago Friday.

His mother, Mona Makins, was just 14-years-old when she was pregnant with Brandon, she says the shock of what has happened a week ago is now wearing off.

“It’s devastating… I just want him back…He’s my everything. I was a young mom we grew up together. Everywhere I was he was there. It’s like half of me is gone,” said Makins. 

Brandon, a father of four boys, was shot in front of two of his children outside of a home on Greendale Crescent.

His accused killer, Christopher Birch, 29, was arrested in Durham Region a day after the shooting. Birch is facing a charge of first-degree murder.

Brandon, said his mom, was loved by many people and losing him is an adjustment for everyone.

“You never think this is going to happen to your family,” said Makins.

Family friend Scott Brandt, describes Brandon as a man who always had a smile on his face.

“One of the greatest men that you would ever want to meet in your whole entire life, It’s a very very sad thing he will be missed by a lot of people,” said Brandt.

Birch will appear in court via video on Friday at 2:30 p.m.