Paddington Green: Teenager charged with murder of ‘caring’ 17-year-old Khaled Saleh in west London
Two other teenage boys have also been arrested on suspicion of murder
Khaled Saleh was a keen boxer and eldest child of his family
/ Family Handoutteenager has been charged with the murder of a 17-year-old boy in west London.
The 16-year-old boy was due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, having been arrested the previous day following the fatal stabbing of Khaled Saleh as he walked past a church on Paddington Green.
Two other teenage boys have also been arrested on suspicion of murder. One remains in custody while the other has been released on bail.
Khaled, a keen boxer, was found dying from a single stab wound by desperate passers-by who tried to put him in the recovery position and keep his wound compressed.
The teenager was attacked about 1.40pm on Monday as he walked past the Church of St Mary in front of horrified bystanders including students at City of Westminster College which lies nearby.
Khaled, his family’s eldest son, is from the Kurdish-Iraqi community and lived within a mile of the crime scene.
His cousin Lena Wessan told The Standard: “His mother is really devastated. Khaled was very caring.
“He would do absolutely anything for his family, to protect them, make them happy and be there for them. He was a family boy, he really valued them more than anything.”
Police officers at the scene on Church Yard Walk near to Paddington Green
/ PAShe said the last time she saw Khaled was on Eid at his mother’s house. “We spent a lot of time with our other older cousins, just laughing and spending quality time, it was never bad vibes with Khaled,” she said.
“He was such a happy, funny boy always making people laugh.
“I was in school when my sister called me to tell me [he had been killed].
“I was screaming and crying in disbelief, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk, my heart shattered. He was a role model in the family, everybody looked up to him.
“People deserve to know how amazing he was. Khaled was a happy boy always spreading love. He would always do anything to protect his loved ones.”
Police officers at the scene in Paddington Green in London, after Khaled was stabbed to death.
/ PAFriends said he was a talented boxer and was a “joker” loved by many. One said: “He was just the loveliest boy. He had loads of friends and was a pleasure to be around.”
Any witnesses or anyone with information on either crime is asked to tweet @MetCC or call 101. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.