COVINGTON, Ga. — The death of Almond Turner left "a huge void" in the life of his family, friends and community, his son, Dwahn Turner, said Monday night, Nov. 25.

Dwahn Turner opened up on how his family was handling the sudden tragedy, saying, "We are crushed, we are broken."

"Thank you to the community, far and wide, for reaching out across social media platforms, telephone calls, visits, your wishes, your love and your condolences to my family. This is a very tough time for our family," he said. "We are left with a huge void in our life from the senseless tragedy. As the days go on, things will get better, but right now, we thank you for everything you've done. 

"This community — this Police Department — have been instrumental in helping us get through these last few days. Again, I want to thank the community. We are making arrangements to bring our father home; we are making arrangements for his service."

Among the members of the family, Dwahn Turner spoke about how his mother was hurting, as her husband was "all that she knows."

"To have your life cut short, we weren't expecting this. The last thing I wanted to hear was the phone call I got. We're hurting; my mom is hurting. They've been together almost 50 years and known each other since they were 7 and 9 years old," he said. "He is all that she knows, so we're hurt. The community and the police officers — and everybody around — they are helping us get through this."

The death of Almond was sudden — having occurred Saturday night, Nov. 23, during a family gathering. He was fatally shot by his nephew.

Dwahn Turner recalled the last time he spoke with his father, which had been four days before his death.

"The last time I saw my father, I was in the emergency room on Tuesday night. I told my wife not to call him, and she did," he said. "He was up there just like that. That's the type of father he was. Love your loved ones. Tomorrow could be too late."

He added, "If you have an opportunity to love all your loved ones, do it. Don't hesitate because you never know when the last opportunity will be. Love your loved ones hard, don't be apologetic for it. You never know when the last time will be."

As the family moves on from this tragedy, Dwahn Turner will always remember his father's involvement in the community and the love he shared.

"He was a great father. He taught me very well, and I am still striving to get to where he was," he said. '"That's how great my father was. He was always involved in our lives. Not only that — in the community, everywhere he went, I went."

He added, "The last memory I had of my father is that he loved everybody. I never heard him talk bad about anybody."

A candlelight vigil to honor Almond Turner will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Covington Square.