Police probe gang link in Sefton Park murder

Mar 12 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

THE murder of a Somali teenager on the boundary of a leafy Liverpool Park may be the result of a pre-arranged fight.

Up to 16 other Somalis brandishing sticks and golf clubs were involved in a large scale brawl at Sefton Park on Monday night.

The fight resulted in 17-year-old Ahmed Mohammad Ibrahim suffering fatal head injuries just yards from his home at Brompton Avenue. Another 17-year-old received arm and head injuries and both boys were taken to The Royal Liverpool Hospital.

Neighbours revealed that a car had been smashed up at the large family town house on Sunday and have suggested there may have been a feud.

But police say there are too many lines of inquiry to be sure exactly what sparked the violence as some statements appear to be contradictory.

He said: “We know this was not a racist attack and it does not follow the pattern of a normal gang style event.

“The victim and all those people involved are from Somalia and as such we’ve put a lot of extra patrols in the area to make sure there won’t be a reoccurrence.

“This was a one off event and we’ve got very strong links with the Somali community and we’ve been speaking to them.”

He added: “The large close knit family has been devastated by the death.”

Police forensic experts set up a tent at the scene yesterday and cordons remain in place today.

Three people have already been arrested and more are expected.

Shock and disbelief has swept thought the neighbourhood.

Neighbour Favid Uddin, a property developer, said: “I can’t believe this has happened.

“The younger kids play on the street and nothing like this ever happens around here.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

richarddown