Two years ago today, a Birmingham mother felt the grief she knew all too well.

Her son, Rodriquez “Dreke” Powell, 32, and her nephew, Justin Taylor, 35, were shot to death while sitting in a Mustang on Inglenook Street.

It was about 1:40 p.m. that Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, when a small sedan drove by and opened fire on the vehicle.

Powell was the third son Theta Johnson lost to gun violence on the city’s streets, and it’s a pain she’d wish on no one.

What compounds the hurt is that no one has been brought to justice in the deaths of Powell and Taylor.

“I’m coming out here every year until justice is served,’’ Johnson said Tuesday at the scene of the deadly shooting. “I will not have no peace until justice is served.”

Taylor’s father, Ronald Gurley, agreed.

“My child didn’t mess with nobody,’’ Gurley said. “So how did he end up dead?”

He said the emotional stress of his loss has caused physical ailments.

“There’s no justice,’’ he said. “My whole body aches because of that.”

“I think about my son every day,’’ Gurley said. “I go to his grave every day.”

Powell worked at Brother’s Recycling and worked earlier that Saturday. He and his cousin, Taylor, then went to the mall and were sitting outside Powell’s girlfriend’s house just chilling when they were shot.

Powell was pronounced dead on the scene. Taylor died at UAB Hospital.

Powell’s death marked the third time Johnson has lost a son to violence in the city. She spoke extensively about her losses with AL.com in the days following the fatal shooting.

Powell left behind two children, including a 7-year-old daughter who is autistic. Taylor left behind five children.

Johnson, Gurley and other loved gathered to pray and release balloons in memory of Powell and Taylor. Community activists Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner and Jasmaine DeLoach joined the family and friends.

“When this time (of year) comes around, it’s really heavy on my heart,’’ Johnson said. “This morning, I got up and I prayed and asked the Lord for strength for today.”

“I ask y’all to continue to pray for me and my strength,’’ she said. “But I want to encourage other parents who have lost their children, look unto Heaven from which our help come from the Lord.”

“He’s the only one that’s keeping me,’’ she said. “Without Him I wouldn’t have my mind.”

Johnson said she’s frustrated with the investigation and the lack of communication from police. Her son and nephew can’t stand up for themselves, so she’s going to continue to do so for them.

“I’m their mouthpiece,’’ she said. “It’s not for me, it’s for them and I want to see it done.”

“My heart is broken. I might smile. I might encourage everybody else but I’m a mother that has lost four children,’’ she said. “It means something to me. It can’t bring my children back, but I want justice. I deserve it.”

Johnson and Gurley ask that the killer or killers come forward. If not, they ask that someone who knows shat happened that day to get in touch with investigators.

Anyone with information in the double homicide call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.