Family Calls For Calm After Leicester Killing, The uncle of a man killed in Leicester has appealed for calm and unity following the killing last Thursday.
Antoin Akpom was found injured by police officers in Kent Street and later died.
"Antoin was a loving and devoted father, a hard working young man recognised as a positive role model for all sections of the community," Ronnie Akpom said at an emotional news conference.
"The memory of his infectious smile and kindness will remain with everyone that knew him.
"An innocent life has been lost and the family calls for everyone to keep calm and united and to assist the police with their inquiry so that the people who did this will be brought to justice.
"He was from a good family. His mother Cheryl is well known for her work in the community and promoting community cohesion, and more than ever we need cohesion in the community now."
Mr Akpom's uncle also expressed sympathy with relatives of a family who died in a fire hours after the killing.
"Our deepest condolences go to the Taufiq family from Wood Hill who have also tragically lost family members," he said.
Police have been investigating links between the two crimes - although there is no suggestion that the fire victims were involved in the death of Mr Akpom - with one theory being the house was mistakenly targeted.
Neurosurgeon Muhammad Taufiq al Sattar is mourning the death of his wife Shehnila Taufiq who perished in the fire at the couple's terraced home in Wood Hill, in the Spinney Hills area of Leicester, in the early hours of Friday.
Their children, 19-year-old daughter Zainab and sons Jamal, 17, and Bilal, 15, also died in their fire.
Roger Bannister, Assistant Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, said: "While we are investigating links between the two crimes there is absolutely no evidence to suggest those who died in the fire, or indeed anyone else who lives in that property, was involved in the assault in Kent Street.
"Because of the close proximity - in terms of time and location - of the two incidents, it is right that we look at whether there are links between the two crimes.
A 19-year-old man is being questioned over the death of Mr Akpom after being arrested in London on Friday, but two women also held over the killing have been released without charge.
Police originally detained three women - aged 19, 20 and 27 - and two men aged 19 and 49 on Saturday in connection with the blaze, though two of the women have since been released without charge.
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz visited Wood Hill on Sunday after police lifted a cordon which had been in place since the house fire and attended a tribute to Mr Akpom at Leicester Nirvana FC.
"The whole city is in shock. The police have done a superb job so far and I think everyone wants to see the perpetrators of these five deaths brought to justice as quickly as possible," he said.
A minute's silence was held before matches played by Leicester Nirvana over the weekend out of respect for Mr Akpom, who coached and played for the club.
Antoin Akpom was found injured by police officers in Kent Street and later died.
"Antoin was a loving and devoted father, a hard working young man recognised as a positive role model for all sections of the community," Ronnie Akpom said at an emotional news conference.
"The memory of his infectious smile and kindness will remain with everyone that knew him.
"An innocent life has been lost and the family calls for everyone to keep calm and united and to assist the police with their inquiry so that the people who did this will be brought to justice.
"He was from a good family. His mother Cheryl is well known for her work in the community and promoting community cohesion, and more than ever we need cohesion in the community now."
Mr Akpom's uncle also expressed sympathy with relatives of a family who died in a fire hours after the killing.
"Our deepest condolences go to the Taufiq family from Wood Hill who have also tragically lost family members," he said.
Police have been investigating links between the two crimes - although there is no suggestion that the fire victims were involved in the death of Mr Akpom - with one theory being the house was mistakenly targeted.
Neurosurgeon Muhammad Taufiq al Sattar is mourning the death of his wife Shehnila Taufiq who perished in the fire at the couple's terraced home in Wood Hill, in the Spinney Hills area of Leicester, in the early hours of Friday.
Their children, 19-year-old daughter Zainab and sons Jamal, 17, and Bilal, 15, also died in their fire.
Roger Bannister, Assistant Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, said: "While we are investigating links between the two crimes there is absolutely no evidence to suggest those who died in the fire, or indeed anyone else who lives in that property, was involved in the assault in Kent Street.
"Because of the close proximity - in terms of time and location - of the two incidents, it is right that we look at whether there are links between the two crimes.
A 19-year-old man is being questioned over the death of Mr Akpom after being arrested in London on Friday, but two women also held over the killing have been released without charge.
Police originally detained three women - aged 19, 20 and 27 - and two men aged 19 and 49 on Saturday in connection with the blaze, though two of the women have since been released without charge.
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz visited Wood Hill on Sunday after police lifted a cordon which had been in place since the house fire and attended a tribute to Mr Akpom at Leicester Nirvana FC.
"The whole city is in shock. The police have done a superb job so far and I think everyone wants to see the perpetrators of these five deaths brought to justice as quickly as possible," he said.
A minute's silence was held before matches played by Leicester Nirvana over the weekend out of respect for Mr Akpom, who coached and played for the club.
Blogger Comment
Facebook Comment