Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HE DIED A HERO
Sport-loving Ali, 20, was stabbed as he saved great-great-grandma
A HERO stabbed to death saving a great-great-grandmother who was set upon while buying a takeaway was an aspiring basketball player.
Ali Abucar Ali was knifed along with 82-year-old Betty Walsh, who needed emergency kidney surgery in hospital.
The 20 year old was hailed a “hero” who paid “the ultimate price” by locals after the incident at Best Kebab and Fish Bar in Brentford, West London, at around 8pm on Friday.
Betty’s eldest daughter Bridget, 60, described Ali as “a really hardworking, good lad” who had recently won a basketball scholarship.
She said her mum did not realise she had been attacked until Ali stepped in.
She said: “Ali asked what all the commotion was about, challenged her attacker and tried to help her.
“What happened to him next was a tragedy. I knew him and his mother. They are a very good family. His mother had rushed to comfort me as soon as she heard what happened to mum, before the police phoned her and told her the devastating news that her son had so sadly been stabbed.”
Betty could remain in St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington for a month. The pensioner is no longer on the “critical” list.
Mum-of-six Betty also has 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a greatgreat-granddaughter.
An online fundraiser set up for Ali’s devastated family had yesterday topped £50,000. Local residents yesterday praised his bravery.
Laura Williams, 46, said: “I never knew Ali, but from what I understand if he had not rushed to help poor Betty she probably
would have lost her life with immediate effect. He stopped in a difficult situation and performed a selfless act for which he paid the ultimate price.
“I really have no words that can describe how his poor family are feeling.
“Brentford has lost a very decent human being. He is a hero, 100%.”
A man who did not want to be named said: “He is heroic and an inspiration. Not many people would do what he did.”
Beatrice Kangethe, 32, said: “He is a hero. What happened is so sad.”
Deidrie Smith, 81, said: “He was not thinking of himself when he rushed to help Betty.”
Norris Henry, 37, from Brentford, was charged yesterday with murder and attempted murder.
He will appear at Uxbridge magistrates court today.
He went to help in a difficult situation, performed a selfless act & paid the ultimate price LAURA WILLIAMS LOCAL RESIDENT NEAR WHERE ALI WAS KILLED