In the early hours of Wednesday 14th March, a fatal shooting took place on Scott Road which left a family devastated and the local community shocked.
Shortly after starting a night shift, Taxi driver, Mr Younis Khan, was traveling along Scott Road at 1.45am when he was shot near to the junction with College Close. The 53 year old of Abbeyfield Road tried to drive on but lost control and crashed into two parked cars near the cemetery gates. He was rushed to the Northern General Hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Following the shooting, the Police arrested four suspects but have released them all on bail, pending inquiries. The investigation now involves more than 100 officers including up to 60 CID officers.
The Police stressed that Mr Khan was not the victim of a robbery and had not recently been a victim of crime, nor was he involved in criminality himself. Inspector Jon Ekwubiri was keen to reassure residents that the shooting is not connected to the death of Ibrahim Ilyas in June last year.
Mr Khan was a well known person in the local community. A father of five and grandfather of three, he had worked as a taxi driver and lived on Abbeyfield Road for more than 20 years. Until last year, he also ran the Younis supermarket – now called Premier Supermarket Express on Scott Road.
Mr Khan’s family issued the following statement to the Messenger:
“Mr Younis was a well respected and loved person in the area. He had no hate and just love for everyone. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him in the community.”
Community reaction