Alex Kareem
It’s been exactly three years since 20-year-old Alex Kareem was gunned down in Shepherds Bush. Now, a £20,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can help find his killer.
The computer student was declared dead at the scene 45 minutes later, but no one has yet been held responsible. Police still think it was a case of mistaken identity.
Now a £20,000 Crimestoppers reward has been put up for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Alex’s killers.
Alex’s sister Khafi said: “People say this was three years ago. But for us this is every day – we are living with this every day.”
Shooting
Alex was shot in the abdomen and chest at 12.40am on 8 June 2020 in Askew Road and pronounced dead at the scene less than an hour later. He had been riding an e-scooter to a friend’s house after visiting a corner shop.
Police posted a video on YouTube of a white Range Rover Evoque believed to have been involved. It was found burnt out three miles away in Ascott Avenue, Ealing, half an hour after the shooting.
Alex had been due to start a university course in computer science. At his funeral, Khafi, a Met Police officer, urged the public not to dismiss her brother as ‘just another Black boy who’s been shot’.
Although nine arrests were made, no one was ever charged over Alex’s death.
Khafi added this week: “I had three brothers, but now I only have two. Sometimes I will see something in a shop and think ‘That would look nice on Alexander’, and then it hits me over again.
“How can we live in a society where someone goes to the shop to buy sweets and their life is taken? I would say to the people that did this, don’t let something like this rest on your conscience. Come forward. Speak.
“You will not get away with this. We cannot rest. You will not get away with it. For the love of God please talk."
Investigation
A 20-officer team has been investigating, but information is still needed from anyone in the area at the time.
Det Insp Rebecca Woodsford said: “Three years have now passed, but our determination to achieve justice for Alexander and his family is undiminished. This £20,000 reward from the independent charity Crimestoppers could go some way to help us achieve that.
"Over time people change and allegiances change. Those who know something that could help us may now feel like they want to talk to us, and my officers are ready to listen.
"If you’re reading this and you know anything – anything at all – please come forward. It is not too late to do the right thing. Alexander did not deserve this and nor does his family. Nothing will ever heal the pain of losing him, but you can help bring them some small comfort by helping us catch those responsible."
Any witnesses or those with information, video or images that could assist police are asked to call 101 and give the reference CAD 4830/07JUN23.
Or you can call Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111 or give information anonymously online.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity and is not part of the police.
