Murdered Brentford Teen 'Appears To Have Been Targeted'

Motivation for stabbing near Syon Park remains unclear

The scene at Union Lane, Isleworth

The investigation into the killing of Brentford teenager Abdirashid Mohamoud continues and police are still appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They now believe Abdirashid was in Syon Park at around 10.30pm on Friday 22 March when a group of men got out of a vehicle nearby. Abdirashid was then chased into Union Lane and stabbed outside a block of flats.

Residents who heard a commotion called the police and officers administered first aid prior to the arrival of the ambulance but he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after. A post mortem has established that the cause of death was knife wounds.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command led are investigating led by Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard.

DCI Leonard said, "I need to speak to anyone who was in the park or the surrounding area at around 10:30pm on Friday night or who has information that could assist this investigation. They should get in touch immediately."

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin, West Area Basic Command Unit Commander said, “I would urge anyone with information about the murder to come forward. Abdirashid had been in Syon Park close to the flats when a vehicle pulled up and a group of males got out. They chased the victim and attacked him in Union Lane. We don't yet know the motive for Abdirashid's murder but it does appear to be a targeted attack.

Chief Superintendent Paul Martin

“I know calling the police with information can seem like a daunting thing to do but we urgently need the help of local communities to help stem the tide of violent crime in London. As the police we are working really hard with the Met's Violent Crime Task Force routinely in and around Isleworth and elsewhere in the borough, taking weapons off the streets and working to catch offenders.”

The police put on high visibility patrols in the area over the weekend and gained a Section 60 order which gave them enhanced stop and search powers for a limited time.

Chief Superintendent Martin added, “We are seeing levels of violent crime beginning to stabilise across London but there is always more to do; every murder is one murder too many. And we need your information so we can act to prevent murders and other violent crime occurring.”

Prompted by the killing, Ruth Cadbury MP for Brentford and Isleworth has written to the Home Secretary Sajid Javid demanding that the Government take urgent action to address what she describes as a violent crime epidemic

Speaking about the letter, Ms Cadbury said 'It was heart breaking to see another act of violence on our streets last week, which this time lead to the death of a 17 year old, Abdirashid. The Home Secretary needs to take urgent action to address this violent crime epidemic, and that includes fully funding our police so that they have the resources to tackle crime, and engage in community policing.

“Likewise the Government need to reinvest in youth clubs, schools, colleges and other vital services for young people, all of which have faced funding cuts since 2010. These services play a crucial role in preventing young people from falling into a life of crime.

“I will keep working in Parliament to push the Government to take a much bolder approach to knife crime. This not only means more funding for our police officers, but also more funding for youth and social services, who've been decimated by cuts.

“I will also keep working across the community to bring groups, and residents together to do everything possible to tackle crime. I'm still in the process of organising a series of public meetings, and will be in touch shortly with residents when the details are finalised.''

Any witnesses or anyone with information that may assist police is urged to call 020 8721 4622 or call 101 quoting CAD 8396/22Mar. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If any young people have information about violence or knife crime, they can visit Fearless where they can pass on information anonymously. Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police.

If you need help or information to support someone you suspect is involved in knife crime, or you want assistance yourself, then you can visit the Knife Free web site or LondonNeedsYouAlive.

March 29, 2019