Ammar Hassan had plans. He was a go-getter, his mother Shawanda Hassan said, and he was determined to help grow his family’s business, Hassan Home Improvement. He was scheduled to graduate from West Catholic Preparatory High School, then attend college.
Ammar was also going to be a father, a fact he had not yet shared with Shawanda.
But his dreams have gone unfulfilled. Ammar was shot and killed Aug. 14, 2019 in the 2300 block of Bambrey Terrace in South Philadelphia. He was 17 years old.
Ammar’s homicide happened the same night as a chaotic standoff in North Philadelphia where six police officers were shot and wounded. While that incident drew national attention, Ammar’s did not. Police still have not made any arrests in connection with his murder.
“I just want to know why,” Shawanda said. “Ammar would have given anyone anything.”
Ammar was born in Philadelphia on June 22, 2002 to Shawanda and Reginald Hassan and raised in North Philadelphia. He was Shawanda’s only child.
Ammar learning how to use tools as a child
Every summer as a teen, Ammar participated in the WorkReady program to gain skills and work experience. Shawanda recalls that one year Ammar set up a water ice stand and hired his friends to work for him.
On his own, he did landscaping, snow removal and cleanouts, and he helped his parents with their home improvement business. He enjoyed the demolition part the best, tearing down walls and discovering a home’s potential.
“I think he liked to see where it came from and what it could be,” Shawanda said. “And shopping for granite and tile and cabinets — we did that together.”
Math was one of Ammar’s favorite subjects in school, and he wanted to study business in college. He had gone on a tour of historically Black universities and decided on Hampton University in Virginia.
Traveling more was also one of Ammar’s goals. His most recent trip was a cruise to San Juan, Puerto Rico, but his favorite destination was Jamaica, where he had fun riding dirt bikes with his family.
Ammar’s daughter Amarianna, born in February 2020.
The news that he was going to be a father was still fresh. Ammar had told his father about it, but Shawanda found out after her son’s death.
His daughter, Amarianna, was born Feb. 25, 2020. Shawanda had mixed emotions about Ammar having a child at such a young age, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Shawanda helps to care for the baby, and she has Ammar’s eyes and his easygoing temperament.
“I wonder how he would have been as a dad,” she said. “I know he would have been a good dad, but I wonder how he would have been with her.”
Shawanda, who works in human resources for the Philadelphia Police Department, also thinks about how Ammar would have reacted to not having a normal graduation ceremony and not having a prom.
West Catholic included Ammar in senior year activities; the school presented Shawanda with a school jacket and pin for Ammar at the beginning of the year, and he was part of the graduation. Every senior’s name was called, and rather than walking across the stage to accept their diplomas, the livestream showed each student’s senior picture. Ammar’s had “RIP” listed under his name.
Ammar vacationing in St. Thomas
Shawanda also wonders what he would think about what’s happening the Black Lives Matter movement and if he would be out there protesting.
Ammar didn’t like to see people being mistreated, and his caring nature is what made him special.
“He’s the type who would help anybody out,” “He might not help me out, but he’d help everybody else out,” Shawanda said with a laugh. “With me he’d be like, ‘Can we bargain, mom?’ and I’d be like, ‘You didn’t bargain with them. You just did it. Can I get the same deal?’”
Ammar would have turned 18 on June 22, 2020, and Shawanda is having a cookout to celebrate. His nickname was Cuzzo, and people will be wearing T-shirts commemorating it #CuzzoDay.
As Shawanda faces these milestones without her son, she’s comforted by the presence of Ammar’s daughter, but it’s not the same as having him there.
“Every day is different,” she said. “I just try to do things in his name so his name can live on in a positive light.”
A Janazah Prayer was held for Ammar on Aug. 17, 2019 at the Philadelphia Masjid, followed by interment at Friends Southwest Burial Grounds in Upper Darby.
A reward of up to $20,000 if available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Ammar’s murder. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
A portrait of Ammar is included in the latest exhibition of Souls Shot: Portraits of Gun Violence.
Date: 2019-08-14
Location: 2300 Bambrey St, Philadelphia, PA
