Join us for a remarkable story of grace, forgiveness, and peacemaking.
College student Tariq Khamisa lost his life at the hands of a 14-year-old gang member, Tony Hicks. Tony became the first individual in San Diego County to be prosecuted as an adult. Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, believed that this tragedy resulted in victims on both sides of the gun. Azim reached out to Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix. Together, these two men united in a spirit of healing to combat youth violence.
Watch Azim and Ples’ brief TED Talk to get a glimpse of this incredible story. The TKF is dedicated to promoting peace, preventing violence, and upholding restorative principles.
Meet Our Speakers –
Tasreen Khamisa & Tony Hicks
In 1995, Tasreen’s life was forever changed when her younger brother Tariq, a twenty-year-old student at San Diego State University, was murdered during a gang-involved robbery. In an act of deep compassion, her family chose to forgive the fourteen year-old assailant, Tony Hicks who was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Her father, Azim Khamisa, saw there were victims on both ends of the gun and he began the foundation in an effort to stop youth violence. Tasreen played a vital part in the release of Tony from prison.
Tasreen Khamisa is the Executive Director for the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF). TKF is a San Diego nonprofit with a mission to educate and inspire children in the restorative principles of accountability, compassion, forgiveness, peacemaking, and support for safer schools and communities. TKF has partnered with over 400 schools to successfully reach more than 1,000,000 children to guide them in making healthy, nonviolent choices.
Tony Hicks was just 14 years old when he committed a tragic act that changed many lives—he shot and killed 20-year-old college student Tariq Khamisa during a gang-ordered robbery in San Diego in 1995. At the time, he became one of the youngest individuals in California to be tried as an adult. He was sentenced to 25 years to life and served over two decades in prison.
But Tony’s story is not just one of crime—it’s one of deep transformation. While incarcerated, he began to reflect on his actions and their impact. In a groundbreaking act of forgiveness, Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, reached out to Tony. This led to a powerful restorative justice relationship. Azim and Tony’s grandfather co-founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF), dedicated to preventing youth violence.
Tony and Azim eventually met face to face in prison in 2000. Over time, they developed a close bond rooted in mutual respect and a shared mission of healing. After serving 24 years, Tony was released in 2019. He now serves as a board member for TKF and travels to schools, community centers, and correctional facilities to share his story. He speaks openly about remorse, forgiveness, and the lifelong process of accountability.