Family of ‘bright and hard-working’ student who was stabbed to death are left reeling over his killing
The family of an IT student fatally stabbed in West Hampstead have said they are ‘devastated’ over the attack which robbed him of a bright future.
Suleyman Nur, 25, died in hospital on Monday two weeks after he was stabbed in Alvanley Gardens, near Hampstead cricket club.
A man, 21, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder a day after the attack, which happed at just before 4.30pm on January 29.
Passers by battled to save him before paramedics arrived and police have said that their actions meant that Suleyman survived long enough for his family to say goodbye.
Detectives have now launched a murder investigation.
Suleyman’s family told Metro that the Arsenal fan was a hard working student at university in east London who loved football and spending time with his family. They said they had no idea why he could have been targeted.
His brother said: ‘We are shocked and confused at how this could have happened.
‘Suleyman loved football, he was a big Arsenal fan. He was bright and studied hard and had a bright future ahead. He was very close to his family we are all devastated. We have no idea how he came to be stabbed that day we obviously want answers and a full investigation.’
Witnesses meanwhile said children were left ‘traumatised’ after the stabbing, which happened as they returned home from school.
A mother-of-two told Metro: ‘My daughter was hysterical after she saw the man on the ground with the paramedics trying to save him. I was out and she rang me. The police were really good – they went to our house and spoke to my two children they said it was an isolated inside and they shouldn’t worry.
‘The air ambulance landed in the tennis club near our house.’
She added: ‘We have CCTV but the view was obscured by a white van. I think the driver had stopped to help the boy. Others came out to help as well. I have some audio which picked up some shouting and then a spike in the noise at 4.28pn which is when he was stabbed.’
Another local said: ‘There was was some shouting then there was a young nan slumped on the ground with people around him trying to help. It was the middle of the afternoon and this is a nice street although it’s near Finchley Road where a lot of bad things kick off.’
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One neighbour said: ‘It’s a lovely road but there are a lot of drug users around here. They are mainly nice people and lost souls but there are dealers operating very nearby. They hang worked a particular local convenience store.’
Residents said medical packs were left strewn across the ground as air ambulance medics fought to save Suleyman’s life.
Police have been going door to door appealing for doorbell footage which could aid the investigation.
A statement said: ‘Police were called at 16:27hrs on Thursday, 29 January, to reports of a stabbing at Alvanley Gardens, Camden.
‘Officers arrived on the scene within eight minutes and found a 25-year-old man with serious injuries. With the help of members of the public, who stopped to assist police and paramedics as they were passing the scene, they managed to stabilise the victim, who was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.
‘An investigation was launched and detectives worked quickly, arresting a 21-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder on Friday, 30 January, the day after the incident.
‘Sadly, the victim died from his injuries on Monday, 9 February. He can now be named as Suleyman Nuh, 25. His family is being supported by specialist officers.’
Detectives from the Met’s Major Investigation Team have now launched a murder investigation.
Forensics officers have scoured the scene for clues while specialist officers have been trawling through CCTV footage from around the area.
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart who leads the local policing team for the said:
‘My thoughts remain with Suleyman’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.
‘I am aware of concerns in the local community, but I would like to reassure people that this is believed to have been an isolated incident and there is no information at this time to suggest this was a racially-motivated attack. We have increased patrols in the local area and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to my officers. A 21-year-old man has already been charged with attempted murder in connection with this incident.
‘I want to express my thanks to the first responders, who were on the scene within minutes, and the members of the public who did everything they could to save Suleyman’s life. Their actions gave his family the opportunity to say goodbye’.
Anyone with information, CCTV or dash cam footage of the incident is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 5195/29JAN or to remain, anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
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