THE mum of a teenager who was stabbed to death says she cannot have any comfort until his killer is caught.
It is seven months since 18-year-old Wahab Zaaki was killed in Prospect Hill, Walthamstow, following a row between a large group of youths - but no one has been charged with his murder.
His mum, Barikisu Dauda, is desperate for a conviction so that she and his father and two younger sisters can start to re-build their shattered lives.
At her home she said: “I wouldn't expect any mother to go through what I have. Not a single day I wake up and don't think about what happened. After raising him for eighteen years, I had high hopes for him.
“Every day my eight-year-old daughter talks about her brother. Even this morning when I was dropping her off at school she asked why he died when some people who are stabbed survive.”
Ms Dauda said the grieving process has been difficult because the investigation on-going and she feels in the dark about any progress being made by police.
But detectives say they are at a delicate stage and cannot give an update on the investigation for “operational reasons”.
A 17-year-old was arrested following the attack on March 14, but he was released and no further action taken.
Investigating officers were faced with a wall of silence from young people who saw what happened and issued a fresh appeal the following month from Mr Zaaki's parents begging witnesses to come forward.
Ms Dauda said: “There were lots of young people there that night who are keeping quiet. It is hard when I know people know who did it. I plead with them to have pity on us.
“We are begging everybody who knows something to come out and say something that might help. Even the smallest bit of information would help. You shouldn't keep quiet because you never know who could be the next victim.”
On the evening of March 14, Mr Zaaki had been in Walthamstow with a large group of young teenagers aged between 14 and 18, some of whom had been drinking alcohol.
A fight then broke out between some of the group in in stairwell 13 of Atlee Terrace, during which the teenager was stabbed.
While youths fled the scene, the victim staggered 50 yards where he was found by a member of public.
He died in an ambulance en route to hospital from chest injuries just after 11.30pm.
Anyone with information can call 8345 1570 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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