PUBLIC SCHOOLBOY, 17, IS KNIFED TO DEATH IN VILLAGE
A SCHOOLBOY stabbed to death in a wealthy Cheshire village was an ‘A* student’ who wanted to be a heart surgeon.
Yousef Makki, 17, was a sixth- form pupil at the elite Manchester Grammar School, where alumni include former England cricket captain Mike Atherton.
Yousef is thought to have received a scholarship to attend the school, where fees are in excess of £12,000 a year.
Two 17-year- old boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They are both also pupils at prestigious schools in the North West.
Yousef was stabbed at 6.40pm on Saturday in a quiet, tree-lined residential street in Hale Barns, a village known for its well-heeled residents. Those with homes nearby include a string of sports stars and classical singer Russell Watson.
By contrast, Yousef lived in a modest mid-terrace former council house about ten miles away in Burnage, Manchester. His mother is English, while his father is believed to be from Lebanon.
Forensic work continued at the murder scene yesterday.
One resident said of the scene on Saturday night: ‘It was like Blackpool Illuminations with all the lights. The boy was leaning against a tree outside. By the time we came out to the drive the police were there. They told us to get back inside and in the end we weren’t allowed to leave until about 9pm.
‘The police response was excellent – I can’t fault that. Staff from two private security firms were also out here so I presume they had been alerted to something going on. Lots of the houses here have CCTV.
‘There have been a couple of bad break-ins round here so people will have been on the lookout, but this is not what you expect.’
Yousef was taken to hospital after the attack, but died soon afterwards. A neighbour said yesterday: ‘He was a lovely lad, a dedicated A* student who wanted to be a heart surgeon.
‘He didn’t have a bad bone in his body. I think he was in Hale Barns because he has friends there. They are a beautiful family ... it’s very sad. Everyone here is devastated.’
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, added: ‘I used to see him every morning checking his hair before he went [to school]. He could have been someone.
‘It’s just a shame for a young lad with so much potential to have his life taken so young.’ Police said there was no evidence the attack was linked to organised crime or gangs. There was, however, speculation in Hale Barns that it was linked to a row over drugs.
Detective Superintendent Phil Reade, head of the Greater Manchester Police major incident team, called the case ‘incredibly tragic’.
‘Yousef’s family has understandably been left devastated by his death and the thoughts of the entire team remain with them at this difficult time,’ he said.
‘Detectives have been working throughout the night trying to establish exactly what happened. The investigation is in its very early stages and we continue to remain openminded about why Yousef was attacked.’
A string of tributes to the schoolboy were posted online. Tanya Daly wrote: ‘RIP Yousef Makki, what a lovely young man from a loving family.
‘My love and thoughts go out to them.’
Ayla Oglu added: ‘ He was such a good lad, very clever and caring. He could have gone to the best universities, why did it have to end like that? Absolutely gutted.’
Yousef ’ s family were too upset to comment last night.
‘Incredibly tragic’