a happy day turns into a sad day ( Archived) (6)

A father was stabbed to death in front of his three-year-old daughter as he went to visit his wife and newborn son in hospital.


The 26-year-old man was waiting at a bus stop with his daughter, in Croydon, south London, when he was stabbed after becoming involved in an argument with another man, believed to be a former friend or an old work colleague.

The victim, who was born in Ghana, was treated at the scene by paramedics following the attack on Thursday evening, but was later pronounced dead at Mayday Hospital – the same hospital he was trying to get to and where his wife had given birth to a boy that day.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, leading the investigation, said: "This was a shocking attack in a public place in the early evening. The victim's three-year-old daughter was with him when he was attacked, though fortunately she wasn't physically injured."

Det Ch Insp Lyons said he was not ruling out the possibility that it was a random attack. "The investigation is at a very early stage and I'm keeping an open mind about the circumstances of the attack at this point," he added. "It is a double tragedy for the three-year-old, his wife and the son he will never see."

Security guards at a nearby office described how they comforted the little girl after the attack. One said: "Everybody else was in shock. She was so small, you didn't quite realise she was there. I said she shouldn't be watching something like that. I asked around to see whose child she was and somebody said she was the victim's, so I took her away into our building. I just did what everybody else would do." The child is being cared for by relatives.

A 22-year-old-man was later arrested on suspicion of murder after handing himself in to a south London police station. Det Ch Insp Lyons said police were keen to speak to two teenage boys wearing hooded tops who fled the scene. They are described as black and aged between 15 and 20.

Yesterday a white forensic tent was erected over the bus stop and forensic officers examined the bus shelter and timetable for evidence. Police found a number of knives in the area and were also reviewing CCTV footage.

Police said between 80 and 100 police staff, including 50 detectives, were working on the case. A post-mortem examination was scheduled last night and it is thought the victim's identity may be made known today.

no responses

must be a every day crime

oh well

I feel so horrible for this family, Mickey. All I can do is send energy for their healing...and for all others who suffer tragedy on a daily basis. It's always a shame to hear of a story like this...so tragic.

Mickey, it is every day,,I dislike reading the news,,or watching for this very reason. Grief is exploited, and those with no compassion for life armed with new ideas.

One of the unfortunate consequences of our society and the speed at which we learn of tragedy. Unfortunately in my morning news on television I wonder how many drive by shootings, or home invasions or robbery/murders happened since the previous day.

Thank you for posting this Mickey, as it allows me to know it doesn't just happen here (in the US), and allows me to say words of prayer for this family.