Friends and family mourn British-Somali man killed while trying to save elderly woman’s life

A 20-year-old British man with Somali heritage was on Friday stabbed to death after he reportedly stepped in to try and save an elderly woman’s life. According to Al Jazeera, the elderly woman, identified as 82-year-old Betty Walsh, had been stabbed and punched when Ali Abucar Ali tried to intervene.

The fatal incident happened outside a kebab shop in Brentford, West London. The shop, which is close to Welsh’s home, isn’t also far from the home the deceased British-Muslim man grew up in. Ali has since been hailed as a hero following the tragic incident.

A GoFundMe that was set up in honor of the deceased Kingston University student has since raised over $100,000. “We lost a dear brother, the most caring, humble , funniest young man, Dont have a single memory of him without seeing his amazing smile,” the account stated.

Prior to his death, Ali coached a junior boy’s basketball team by the name Chiswick Gators Basketball Club. And the founder of the club, Michael Kwentoh, shared fond memories of the deceased man.

“Ali was the most genuine, loyal, caring individual I’ve ever met in my life,” Kwentoh told the news outlet. “He just didn’t deserve what happened to him. He was just so innocent, so pure.”

Kwentoh also spoke about the impact Ali had on the boys he coached. “He made them feel like they were stars,” he said. “He’d just make you believe in you more than you believe in yourself.”

The suspect accused of stabbing Ali and Welsh, Norris Henry, has since been arrested, per BBC. The 37-year-old man, who is charged with both the murder of Ali and the attempted murder of Welsh, appeared before the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday. His next court appearance will be at the Central Criminal Court in London on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Welsh is recuperating at a hospital following kidney surgery.