“IT’S nice to wake up and see all your brothers and sisters,” said Tavon Kaiseen Alleyne, cousin of Rihanna, in a recent video post.

Alleyne was shot and killed in Barbados on Boxing Day.

“RIP cousin… can’t believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms! never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man! #endgunviolence,” Rihanna wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday night.

The hash tag has since become viral with multiple users flocking to social media to advocate against gun violence.

According to police, 21-year-old Alleyne was walking through a track in his neighbourhood in St Michael when a man approached him and shot him multiple times. Alleyne was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

With a population of over 250,000 residents, Barbados police said the island has seen an increase in gun violence with 22 out of 28 murders committed this year being gun-related. Alleyne’s murder brings the country’s murder toll to 31 for 2017.

In February, Alleyne posted a photo of the two, wishing the Bajan singer a happy 29th birthday.

“Every day we are happy to have you in our lives. Happy Birthday cousin, we really love you. Your presence in my life is a source of joy and happiness. To my favourite cousin, may all your dreams and wishes come true,” he said.

Alleyne’s death comes less than a month after Rihanna was honoured in her homeland.

Rihanna Drive, formerly Westbury Road in St Michael, was named after the singer on November 30, Barbados’ Independence Day.

Rihanna lived in the area for 13 years before migrating to the United States at 16 years old to pursue music.

— Sade Gardner