Ina lilah wa ina ilayhi raajicun wa Allah yarxamu.
What is going on people? Very very sad.
Killer gang "used a machete" in attack
THE gang responsible for the brutal murder of a 17-year-old Somali boy was armed with a sickening arsenal of weapons.
Ahmed Mohamed Ibrahim was battered to death in Sefton Park on Monday night.
His killing was said to be the result of a simmering feud within the city’s Somali community.
Three people from Toxteth were arrested last night on suspicion of murder after they fled the city, bringing the total arrests to six.
They were apprehended by another police force on behalf of Merseyside police.
The first three arrested men – aged 20, 22 and 23 – are still in custody, also being held on suspicion of murder.
The beating was witnessed by a group of up to 16 men who watched in horror as the violence unfolded.
Still shaken onlookers told the ECHO how Ahmed’s attackers apparently pounced on him near Croxteth Drive.
Police say the post mortem revealed that he had died from blunt force trauma, suggesting he had been beaten by a bat or stick.
Witnesses say an axe was also used in the attack.
The mob also armed themselves with a catalogue of weapons including a Samurai sword, machetes, baseball bats, golf clubs and large sticks.
Ahmed, from Toxteth, suffered horrendous head injuries and was rushed to hospital where he died some hours later.
A second 17-year-old boy, named locally as Abdulahi and said to be Ahmed’s cousin, had fingers chopped off, possibly with a machete.
Stunned Somalis say a group arranged to meet in nearby Sefton Park for a “straightner” after a recent dispute.
They say Ahmed was not been involved in the argument but went along to protect his relative. His house is just a short walk from the park.
Friends claimed as the two rivals squared up to each other a car pulled up and a group of attackers jumped out armed with weapons.
Even though Ahmed was not involved in the planned fight he was set upon.
One man told the ECHO: “The way they set about him with their weapons was terrible to see.
“They just didn’t stop and people just stood back and didn’t do anything about it.
“About four of us went with Abdulahi to the hospital. He was in an awful state. His face was smashed in and he’d lost fingers.
“They didn’t wear any masks. Everybody could see who they were. They didn’t try and hide their identity.
“We can’t believe that a falling out which started as something fairly minor has ended up in something so brutal.”
Gangs from the city’s Toxteth and Granby districts are believed to be behind the dispute which escalated out of control on Monday night.
Sources from Liverpool’s Somali community said a fight broke out a day earlier in nearby Lawrence Road, Wavertree.
Witnesses say a car was vandalised and a driver attempted to mow down a rival as trouble flared.
They claim the two incidents are linked.
A number of parkland items, believed to be branches or wood, were recovered by police scouring the scene of the murder.
Detectives say some of those responsible ran into Sefton Park while others got into a silver car which sped away.
Locals say that Ahmed was not a troublemaker and Merseyside police confirmed he was not known to them.
His heartbroken mother was today too upset to speak to the ECHO.
Today, Merseyside police urged people to remain calm promising to step up patrols in Granby and Toxteth.
Supt Steve Ashley, area commander for Liverpool south, says: “We have good links to the Somali community and we are talking to senior members about this incident.
“We have had a number of witnesses speak to us but we need people to come forward and give us information.”
“This is not a gang-related incident, in that there are two established groups, or a well-known feud.
“It is a very closely-knit community and this kind of incident is not a usual occurrence.”
Somali leaders say Ahmed had not been in Liverpool long, arriving in the city just 10 months ago.
Police are speaking to his family and friends said he had recently enrolled at Liverpool community college.
Chair of the Granby Street-based Merseyside Somali Community Association, Osman Mohamed, says the victim used to visit the centre.
He told the ECHO: “We are so shocked by what has happened, everybody is talking about it.
“As far as I know, Ahmed was a good lad, ambitious who wanted to be educated. As a community, we are very upset today.”
An incident room has been set up by police. Anyone with information should call 0151-777 5376 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Community in shock
By Saeed Mohamed
