A teenager who was stabbed to death in London has been identified as a former child refugee who spent time in the Calais Jungle.
Khalid Safi was attacked outside a Tesco store in Acton last week. He was rushed to hospital but later died, with the postmortem giving cause of death as a stab wound through the heart.
The 18-year-old settled in the UK five years ago after fleeing his home in war-torn Afghanistan.
Khalid, who had recently moved to London to work at his uncle’s business in Croydon, had spent time in foster care in Peterborough and Birmingham after arriving in the UK alone.
Friends told of their devastation at his death after he came in search of a “peaceful life.”
“He came here for a better and more peaceful life but he was still murdered. It shows that you’re not safe anywhere,” Akii Ahmadzai, who had been friends with Khalid for five years, told the Standard.
“He was like a brother to me, it’s a really emotional time. Khalid was a lovely guy who never had anything bad in his heart.”
The attack happened around 6:30pm on 1 December in the Victoria Road area of Acton.
A 19-year-old woman was arrested in Redbridge on 7 December on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. She has been bailed to return on a date in early January 2017.
Officers have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Price said: “There were a lot of people in the area of Victoria Road at the time of the incident and, while we have spoken to several people, I believe that not everyone has come forward at this time.”
Contact police with information on 020 8721 4054 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
