‘It hurts every day and it’s not getting easier’
ALEX KAREEM’S FAMILY SAY PAIN NEVER STOPS, TWO YEARS ON FROM HIS DEATH
TWO years on from his death, the family of a west London man killed in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity have spoken out about their pain and heartache as his killers remain at large.
Alexander Kareem was just 20 years old when he was gunned down in Askew Road, Shepherd’s Bush, in the early hours of Monday June 8 2020.
He had just been to an offlicence and was on his way to a friend’s house when he was shot multiple times while riding his e-scooter and left for dead.
After police were called at around 12.40am they, along with London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, found Alex with catastrophic injuries, and despite their efforts to save him he died 45 minutes later.
Two years on from his killing, police are still searching for Alex’s killer and are once again asking for anyone who may have seen, or knows anything to come forward.
Speaking on the anniversary of his death on June 8, Alex’s sister Khafi, said: “Today marked two years since my brother Alex was murdered in cold blood on the streets of London.
“It feels so wrong to commemorate this kind of anniversary – wedding anniversaries, birthdays etc are things that should be celebrated and remembered, not a day of death. But two years on and still his murderers have not been found. This is not ok.
“It hurts me every day and is not getting any easier, I just find better ways to suppress my grief as time goes on, but every time it arises it is like a dagger to my chest afresh.
“It has made me so sensitive to any news of death, especially shootings like those in Owo, Uvalde and particularly news of young black boys dying needlessly. They trigger so much for me. So I was dreading today. And if I had it my way I would have buried my head in the sand and pretended this isn’t my reality.
“I had three brothers and now I only have two. And the people responsible are still walking the streets. It makes me so, so angry. If you have any information on Alex’s death, it is not too late to speak up.”
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who leads the investigation, said: “It’s now been two years since Alexander was murdered in cold blood by these cowards. Nobody deserves what happened to Alexander and we won’t stop until we catch those responsible.
“Alexander was adored by his family, who miss him terribly each and every day, and their grief is made so much worse by the fact his killers still walk the streets. My heart goes out to them as they continue to live with unanswered questions and without knowing who is responsible for his death.
“There will be no stone unturned on this case. We may be two years on, but I can assure you that does not mean we slow down. If anything, we are more determined than ever to catch the people responsible and get justice for Alexander and his family.
“If you’re reading this and you know anything – anything at all – please come forward. It is not too late to do the right thing. You may think the information you hold is small or insignificant – tell us anyway. It could be the missing piece of a much bigger puzzle. Alexander did not deserve this and nor does his family. Nothing will ever heal the pain of losing him, but you can help bring them some small comfort by helping us catch those responsible.
“For his family’s sake, if you know anything about what happened to Alexander, please contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously. Any information you give will be treated with the utmost confidence.”
Any witnesses or those with information, video or images that could assist police are asked to call 101 ref CAD 224/08Jun20