I NEVER knew about his violent past, but he was turning his life around.

Those are the words of the heartbroken girlfriend of Jamal Jones, who was with him just hours before he was shot dead in a Southampton flat.

When she waved goodbye to the 23-year-old in the early hours of Saturday, she had no clue that it would be the last time she would see him alive.

Having spent the evening at her home, watching movies, Jamal – whose nickname was Lucky – showed no sign that he was worried about anything.

But just hours later, the 23 year-old, who does wish to be named, broke down when she got the devastating news at work that he had been killed in St Mary’s.

She told the Daily Echo: “It was a massive shock, especially to find out it was drugs related.

“I had no idea about his past. He would just always ask me not to judge him on his past and I never will.

“He moved to Southampton to better himself as a person. He was a really nice and genuine person and the love he showed for his family, daughter and friends is unbelievable.”

The couple first met in a bank a couple of months ago, but it wasn’t until last Wednesday that he asked her to be his girlfriend.

She added: “I know it was only a week but it is heartbreaking. I felt like I have known him for years.

“He was a gentleman, taking me out for meals and spoiling me.

“People make mistakes and he was trying to better himself. I respect him for that.”

As reported prebviously by the Daily Echo, the 23-year-old victim was shot in the head in a flat in St. Mary Street.

It was revealed that Jamal, who had a daughter thought to be aged about seven, had a violent past which included robbing a disabled woman at knifepoint in her own home.

Good friend Larissa Sullivan told the Daily Echo how she had spoken to Jamal just 30 minutes before the shooting.

The 21-year-old said: “Nothing seemed to be troubling him. He seemed fine and we were looking forward to meeting up for a drink later that day.

“I saw the police in the area but didn’t know what it was for, but then I started to get messages from friends and I just didn’t want to believe it.

“I kept calling his phone but no one answered and now it is all too real.

“He was such a caring person; he was just there for everyone.

“He was like a brother to me and I feel really sick right now. I just cannot believe that he has gone.

“He came down here to better his life. His past was his past and he was turning his life around, becoming a better father to his daughter, who he was seeing more and loved so much.

“He had a heart of gold.”

Another friend Charlotte Nason, 24, said she had been left shell shocked by her friend’s death. “He had a big heart and was so popular.

“Obviously he had a past but that wasn’t him as I knew him. He was just a really lovely person to be around.”

Today, the the remaining four people arrested in connection with the shooting of Jamal Jones were released on bail by police.

  • Additional reporting by Melanie Adams