Murdered Former Chiswick Schoolboy Hailed as a Hero
Ali Abucar Ali said to have saved woman's life before being stabbed
Ali Abucar Ali in his Chiswick School uniform with Chiswick Gators shirt underneath. Picture: Twitter/Chiswick Gators
A man stabbed to death in Brentford on Friday evening (12 November) has been named as 20-year-old Ali Abucar Ali, a former pupil of Chiswick School.
He is reported to have been killed after he intervened to protect an 82-year-old woman on Albany Parade at around 7.50pm. He managed to get to a nearby cafe to request help and the emergency services were called but, despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The woman who is reported to have been saved has been named as great-great grandmother Betty Walsh who was well known in the area having worked in a number of local pubs and was an avid Brentford fan. She believed that her attacker had just pushed into her but then realised she had been stabbed. She was taken to hospital and initially her condition was described as critical but was later updated to serious but not life-threatening. According to a newspaper report she asked her family what the score in the England football match was when she regained consciousness.
Betty Walsh's condition is no longer described as critical. Picture: Facebook
An unconfirmed report suggests that Ali Abucar Ali had, less than an hour before his death, been helping coach children basketball at the Chiswick Gators club in the Sports Hall at Chiswick School. He had been associated with the club since he was a pupil at the school and volunteered to help out at the evening sessions. The club tweeted "This is the saddest day in the club's history" and added that he would be missed by everyone at Chiswick Gators.
A gofundme page has been set up for Ali to pay for his funeral expenses. The page says of him, "We lost a dear brother, the most caring, humble, funniest young man, Don't have a single memory of him without seeing his amazing smile."
Ali Abucar Ali
Police have charged 37-year-old Norris Henry of Brook Road South Brentford this Sunday 14 November with the murder Ali Abucar and the attempted murder of an 82-year-old woman.
He will appear in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 15 November.
The investigation is being led by homicide detectives from Specialist Crime. Officers say that there is nothing to suggest that the incident is linked to terrorism and at present nobody else is sought as a suspect for the stabbings.
DCI Brain Howie, Specialist Crime, said, “A number of cordons remain in place in and around Albany Parade, Albany Road and the surrounding area. Any local people who have information or concerns should speak with officers working at these locations.
“I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or had any interaction with the suspect near the scene but has yet to speak with police. Also, anyone who may have footage, whether from doorbells, dashcams or mobile devices, is also urged to check that material and make contact with police should there by anything relevant to our investigation.”
Cllr Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Climate Emergency, said, "This is sad, distressing news and our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased and the injured woman. This kind of crime is very rare in Hounslow, and we join the police in appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to call the police.”
Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call 101 ref 6423/12nov. To remain anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.
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November 14, 2021