A close friend of a teenager stabbed to death in Manchester has appealed for more police on the streets.
Yousef Makki, 17, died after being stabbed with a knife in the suburb of Hale Barns this month. Yousef had hoped to become a heart surgeon and won a bursary to attend the prestigious private school Manchester Grammar when he was 11.
Speaking before Yousef’s funeral on Wednesday, his friend Robin Tetlow-Shooter said: “Yousef’s life would not have been taken in vain if we are able to achieve something positive from the debate that has ensued following his death. More police officers on the streets to help protect our young people may be a good start.”
He said Yousef was “the son every parent dreams of: loving, caring, yet ambitious and determined. We have no doubt he would have lived to fulfil his dream of becoming a heart surgeon. Instead he was taken away from us as a result of a stab wound to his heart.”
Hundreds of mourners, including many pupils from Manchester Grammar, attended the service at the Dar Al-Hadi Foundation in Ardwick, just outside Manchester city centre. They then travelled in convoy to the Southern cemetery in Chorlton, where Yousef was buried.
Yousef’s mother, Deborah Makki, and father, Ghaleb Hani Makki, were too upset to speak at the funeral, but the family issued a statement to coincide with the service. Yousef had two sisters, Jade and Rachel, and a brother, Mazen.
The statement said: “We can’t express how devastatingly painful the loss of a brother, son, cousin and ultimately a best friend has been. Our hearts will bleed eternally for the loss of our beautiful, clever and talented brother Yousef.
“Yousef was an inspiration to all. His determination, wit and dedication to his family and studies were the foundations of his outstanding personality and he showed an extremely promising future that was tragically cut short.
“Yousef’s early departure has torn a huge, empty hole inside of everyone’s hearts. For his friends, family and even neighbours, a world without him is a world turned upside down. Yousef didn’t care about circumstances or which area he came from. Instead, Yousef strived to do the best he could and use any opportunities given to him to the fullest.”
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with Yousef’s murder and will stand trial this summer. The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was granted bail in a private hearing at Manchester crown court last week. The bail conditions have not been made public.
A friend of the murder accused, also 17, has been charged with possession of a knife and assisting an offender.
Tetlow-Shooter appealed for anyone with information about the killing to contact the police. “It is vital that the correct resources are allocated so that a thorough investigation can take place by police to collect the evidence that exists out there. We would appeal to all witnesses to please, please come forward and help us secure justice for Yousef,” he said.
