Tributes Paid to 'Phenomentally Talented' Amrou Greenidge
Taekwando champion died after being run down and then assaulted
Amrou photographed when representing Britain in Taekwando Championships
Friends and family have paid tribute to Fulham murder victim Amrou Greenidge, as it emerged the 18 year-old was a 'phenomenally talented' athlete who represented Great Britain at the junior European and World Championships for Taekwondo and won the Commonwealth Championship for his age group in 2014.
His former coach at Fusion Taekwondo club in Peckham, Michael Georgiou, told the Evening Standard: "His charisma and his spirit would just come alive when he was fighting. He was so full of life and just a really good kid.
"All the younger kids looked up to him, but I don’t think he realised what a role model he was. Honestly, I’ve never seen a talent like his in my life."
GB Taekwondo tweeted @GBTaekwando that it was 'saddened' at the news of Amrou’s death, adding: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this sad time. Rest in peace, Amrou."
Taekwondo trainer Michael McKenzie said Amrou had been a "phenomenally talented athlete" and Steve Green, development programme manager at GB Taekwondo, said Amrou was a "talented young athlete and a likeable character".
He added: "He sadly choose to exit the cadet programme and thereafter the sport. I know his club coach in London worked incredibly hard to reach out to him in the recent years. We all give our sincere condolences to Amrou’s parents, family and friends."
Amrou’s cousin Mehdi Idhem, 24 also paid tribute to Amrou, telling the paper: " He was a very talented young man, he had his whole life ahead of him.
"He was very passionate about his Taekwondo and I know when he was younger he would never miss a session.
"He was a kind young man, just like his parents. He was always smiling."
Police believed that after being deliberately run down and knocked off his bike by two teenagers in a Mini Countryman. Amrou was then assaulted and beaten by four others.
Amrou was found by police lying in Fulham's Broomhouse Road, between Sulivan Court Estate and Hurlingham Park at 2.45pm on Sunday. He had suffered severe head injuries and died of his injuries on Tuesday.
Two teenagers were arrested on Monday, 19 August. A 17 year-old youth was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon on Tuesday, 20 August and a 16 year-old youth was charged with murder in connection with the death on Wednesday, 21 August.
Both were kept in custody and appeared yesterday at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court.
A 19 year-old-man has also been arrested on suspicion of murder, but is currently being treated in hospital for burn injuries. Witnesses reported seeing the Mini set on fire in nearby Dymock Street.
A vigil has taken place for Amrou, and a growing number of flowers and other tributes have been laid at the scene of the attack.
Police say there will continue to be police patrols in the area to provide reassurance to the community.
Any information please call 101 or to give information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers
Broomhouse Lane . Picture: google Streetview
Following the incident a Section 60 was authorised from 12pm Monday until 3am on 20 August. This gave police officers extra powers to stop and search over the whole borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
Police reported the results from increased patrols and use of the S.60 power in the area, as follows.
Overall there was a total of:
Stops: 26
Searches: 26
Arrests: 7
1 x Immigration offence
1 x Drink drive and possession of Heroin
1 x recall to prison
1 x Theft
3 x possession with intent to supply of Class B drugs
Fines: 1 x possession of Cannabis
Community resolution: 1 x possession of Class B
You can find further information on Section 60 here.
August 23, 2019