The grieving family of the elderly man who was stabbed to death while riding his mobility scooter has spoken out.
On Tuesday afternoon, at around 4 pm, 87-year-old Thomas O’Halloran was brutally killed by a younger man while raising money for the victims of the war in Ukraine.
According to the police, the incident took place near a local Tesco in Greenford, London, where the senior man was well-known for his charitable purposes.
It is believed that O’Halloran was followed by a man who “had been watching him collect his charity money” in the moments leading to the botched robbery attempt.
“I can’t believe this has happened. Tom was the most cheerful, jolly person I’ve ever known – not a day went by when he didn’t have a smile on his face,” one of the man’s close friends said in an interview with MailOnline.
“Someone must have been watching him collect his charity money then followed him. An elderly man on a mobility scooter is an easy target and you wouldn’t expect them to put up much of a fight. It’s a despicable crime.”
The police have since released pictures of the suspect who was wearing a black t-shirt, blue sports shoes, grey shorts, and a white baseball cap at the time the man was killed.
As of this writing, the suspect remains unidentified and at large.
Following the shocking killing in broad daylight, Thomas’ family paid the elderly man a touching tribute.
“The family are still trying to take in what has happened, it is a complete shock. My father called me this morning, he was very upset and didn’t talk much. I just don’t understand why someone would do this to a defenseless old man,” his grandson said.
Meanwhile, the police appealed to the public to help with the manhunt as they asked witnesses to step forward with information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.
“We are keen to identify the man in the CCTV images as a matter of urgency. He is clearly a dangerous individual and people are advised not to approach him, but to call us immediately on 999 if they know him or have any information regarding his whereabouts,” Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood said.
“My team and I have been working around the clock to bring Mr O’Halloran’s killer to justice, but we need your help. If you have any information at all that will assist us with our investigation – no matter how small – please contact us or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”
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