Whoopi Goldberg gives powerful advice to boy grieving mother’s fatal sho.o.ting: ‘You’re not alone’

“The View” cohosts banded together for an emotional interview with the son of Ajike Owens, who was killed by her neighbor in 2023: “I see her in you.”

The View stars Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, and Sunny Hostin banded together Thursday to lift up a young boy whose mother was fatally shot in Florida last year.

Nearly one year after Ajike Owens was shot in a confrontation reportedly stemming from a white neighbor allegedly throwing an object at a Black child, the late Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, and 10-year-old son, Israel, visited the daytime talk show. Goldberg and the cast welcomed them with words of encouragement as they fought back tears during the emotional exchange.

“From speaking with you all backstage, you are an incredible family. And you, my young king, Israel, are so brave — not to mention handsome,” legal expert Hostin said. “I want to thank you for being here and being so brave, because I think other kids that see you will see themselves in you, and you’re going to help them so much.”

Haines then asked Israel what he was most excited about ahead of attending Experience Camps this summer, an organization that aims to help children process grief. “To make new friends, feel comfortable to talk about it, and doing fun activities. Most importantly, getting over my loss of my mom,” Israel responded, to which Goldberg offered wise advice.

“I think you get comfortable with it. You don’t need to get over anything,” the 68-year-old said, looking directly at Israel.

‘The View’.ABC

“You know what it does? It evolves. It doesn’t ever quite go away,” Goldberg, who has regularly opened up about the loss of her mother and brother in the past, continued. “You learn to move with it, and this idea that you’re sitting there chewing bubblegum and blowing bubbles and crying at the same time. This still happens to me. So we all will find ourselves, and you will find yourself in this. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always fun, but you’re not alone.”

Hostin again praised Israel for his bravery in speaking about his experience, and appeared to tear up as she reminded him that his mother is still with him in spirit. “I see her in you,” Hostin said. “You are such a thoughtful, brave, courageous young king, and she raised you to be that. You are doing her well.”

Haines closed the segment by remembering Owens’ affinity for Goldberg’s Hollywood filmography.

“You were sharing earlier that your mom loved Whoopi Goldberg movies. She liked Sister Act and she liked The Color Purple. Can you tell us something else about your mom?” Haines asked. “Her favorite color was purple,” Israel replied.

In a tearful June 2023 segment with Dias on The View, Goldberg made a firm statement against Florida’s “stand your ground” law.

“This is why you needed to know this story, because they were trying to slide it under the carpet,” Goldberg said. “It’s important you know this story, because, you know what? This ‘stand your ground’ law? This affects everybody in this audience. This could be any one of you. Know that. It’s a bad law, and we want to help get rid of it. This case, I hope, will finally shine the light on this.”