Fulham stabbing: Teen killed in 'fourth attempt on his life' wanted to be lawyer
A 17-year-old boy stabbed to death in west London was killed in the "fourth attempt on his life", a grief-stricken family friend claims, Mirror reported.
The boy, named by the friend as Ayub Hassan, wanted to be a barrister and was looking forward to adulthood.
He had previously been found unconscious in a park, run over and had been stabbed on another occasion, the friend claimed.
His devastated mother Siraad says her son, who was stabbed to death in Lanfrey Place in West Kensington on Thursday, was her "best friend".
Detectives announced on Friday that three males, aged 18, 17 and 15, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in custody at a London police station.
There was no suggestion those arrested were responsible for the earlier alleged attempts on Ayub's life.
The Met Police said the boy was found with stab injuries to the chest when officers and paramedics were called to the scene in Fulham just after 2pm on Thursday.
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Family friend Amina Osman laid flowers at the scene in West Kensington on Friday morning and named the victim as 17-year-old Ayub Hassan.
She told reporters this was "the fourth attempt on his life", and that he had previously been found unconscious in a park, run over and had been stabbed on another occasion.
"He had ambitions, he was looking forward to being a barrister. He was looking forward to being a grown-up man. He was good with his words, he was very kind and handsome," Ms Osman said.
Ayub wanted to become a barrister and was looking forward to adulthood (Image: unknown)
The community support worker said that he is one of three children - with a younger sister and brother - and that his mother Siraad collapsed with the shock of the news of his death.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Ayub's mum, Siraad Aden, 38, said the family want "justice" and answers as to what happened.
She said through tears at the family's home on the White City estate: "He was a wonderful boy. I remember everything he said.
"He was lovely, he looked after me.
"He wasn’t only a son, he was my best friend.
"We want justice.”
Ayub's death comes amid a surge in knife crime in Britain, with the 17-year-old becoming the fifth victim in just one week.
Neighbour Rosie Hayes was one of the first people on scene after the stabbing, and said there had been no noise or disturbance beforehand.
Family friend Amina Osman speaks to reporters at the scene (Image: PA)
She said: "I was in my house and my cousin was leaving, and we noticed there was a group of four guys - there was something going on but we didn't understand anyone was injured at that stage.
"She left (my cousin) and they started calling for help... so then my neighbour and I have both came out of our houses at the same time and the group asked us for help.
"So we went over to assist... we stayed with them until a wonderful nurse turned up and she was amazing at taking control of the situation until the paramedics arrived."
Mrs Hayes said there were three boys with the victim who were in their late teens.
Ayub is pictured in an undated photo taken during a previous hospital admission (Image: unkown)
"He wasn’t only a son, he was my best friend.
"We want justice.”
Ayub's death comes amid a surge in knife crime in Britain, with the 17-year-old becoming the fifth victim in just one week.
Neighbour Rosie Hayes was one of the first people on scene after the stabbing, and said there had been no noise or disturbance beforehand.
A forensic tent in Lanfrey Place, West Kensington (Image: PA)
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My view: This is terrible, a tragic waste of a young life. Police should stop and search whenever they see gangs of youths hanging around on street corners, if you have nothing to hide then allow the police do their job. When will the senseless killing of innocent, law-abiding citizens end? it has to stop, it's getting worse, I don't get why some people have no regard for human life. If you see group of teenagers arguing on your street just call the police before it escalates to something else.