The man viciously murdered in a city street knew his attacker, community sources claimed today.
Tragic Hassan Ahmed Mohamoud thought the killer simply wanted a chat before he was fatally knifed in the neck in Toxteth, locals told the ECHO.
When the Somalian-born Toxteth man was approached by the would-be attacker, he reportedly had no clue the person approaching would soon turn a blade on him in a deadly ambush.
The 29-year-old was brutally knifed in the neck on Bentley Road and was rushed to hospital but died a short time later on Thursday afternoon.
The murder happened in broad daylight, at around 1pm, a detail about the killing that has appalled those close to the crime.
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One local said: "The lad who got stabbed had no apparent dispute with the man who killed him.
"It was a total surprise to him.
"They guy called him over... the two knew each other really well.
"They used to hang around with each other all the time.
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"Hassan thought they were having just a little talk.
"The attack came out the blue."
Today, members of Liverpool's Somalian community described Hassan as a "lovely kid who always had a broad smile."
He was a regular at the Al-Rahma Mosque on Hatherley Street in Toxteth.
One local said: "His family are distraught, and his mum is shaken.
"She left the hospital late, even though they'd pronounced Hassan died many hours before.
"Hassan was popular who played football regularly.
"He was close to his family.
"He was athletic and strong."
Devastated friend Suad Kariim said: “He was a happy, generous, warm hearted person.
“Always smiling, even on a bad day.
“He was honest, reliable, and kind person.
“He had two brothers and his mum, everyone is just completely in shock.
“Hassan was planning on going away on holiday in July, but sadly didn’t make it.”
People who knew the victim have described him as a "gentle giant" amongst the countless devastated tributes posted to social media.
Pictures taken at the scene of the murder on Thursday afternoon show multiple forensic vans parked outside the cordon as detectives arrived to begin their investigation.
Detectives have appealed for witnesses, CCTV and dashcam footage that could help their investigation.
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They also want anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to come forward and tell what they know.
On Thursday, Detective Inspector Phil Mahon, of Merseyside Police, said: “We’re currently in the very early stages of the investigation however it is vital that anyone with information that could assist our enquiries gets in touch.
“This is an appalling crime which has occurred in a busy residential area in broad daylight.
"A young man has tragically lost his life and we will do our utmost to find those responsible and bring them to justice."
You can get in touch via @MerPolCC, ring 101 quoting reference 19100140790 or speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
