Emigrant's son knifed to death in London - Irish Independent

THE son of an Irish emigrant woman was stabbed to death in London by a gang wielding knives and swords as he screamed for his life.

Hani Abou El-Kheir (16) was chased down a street in the centre of the English capital by up to 15 young men wearing hoodies and bandanas before they stabbed him repeatedly in the ribs.

The attack happened on a street in Pimlico, London, at 7pm on Sunday evening – just 100 yards from his home.

The boy was brought to a nearby hospital but died from his injuries a few hours later.

His panic-stricken mother, who is believed to have relocated to the UK three years ago, ran to the scene after being informed of what had happened to her son.

An eyewitness said she had to be restrained by officers after attempting to break through a police cordon to rush to her son's aid. Another witness said she repeatedly screamed out her son's name as paramedics battled to save his life for almost an hour on the street.

"He (El-Kheir) was running really fast but then he tripped," the eyewitness said. "They had wide kitchen knives and other knives and they jumped on him like a pack of dogs. He was shouting 'don't do it' but they just went ahead.

"One put a blade in near his ribs. Others then kicked him before just jogging off as if nothing had happened. They put their weapons in socks and then shoved them up their sleeves as they were going."

Sources said the boy was known to police for having "minor" involvement in drugs and gang activity in the area, but was not regarded as a "main player". The Churchill Gardens estate where the teenager lived has become a drugs blackspot in the last year.

A murder inquiry has been launched. No arrests have been made so far, police said.

- Mark O'Regan

Irish Independent