Alexander Kareem shooting: Murdered student’s family urge witnesses not to protect killers

Police want to trace the occupants of a white Range Rover found burned out 25 minutes later 
Alexander Kareem
Family handout
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The family of a “computer whizz” student shot dead in a case of mistaken identity today appealed for help to catch his killers seven months on, saying those with information can “protect them no longer”.  

Alexander Kareem, 20 - whose sister Khafi Kareem is a serving Met police officer - was walking near his family home in Shepherd’s Bush, west London when he was gunned down at 12.40am on June 8, 2020.  

Detectives today reissued CCTV of a white Range Rover found burned out on Ascott Avenue, Ealing just 25 minutes after the first call to police.  

Nine people, including a 16-year-old boy, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and released under investigation. Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward.  

Alexander’s family spoke of their “immeasurable loss” in a statement, adding: “We are asking you to come forward with any information you may have, we need answers for us to start to heal.  

White Range Rover sought by detectives investigating the murder of Alexander Kareem
Metropolitan Police

“The perpetrators are using the silence of the public as protection against the consequences of their hideous and unspeakable crime.  

“Please, protect them no longer. Pick up the phone and do the right thing for Alexander, his friends and for us, his family.”  

Alexander was due to start a computer science course at the University of East Anglia in September, had no enemies and was never in trouble with police.

In their statement, the family added: “The grief we continue to feel for the loss of our Alexander is immeasurable. Our hearts have been broken. Every day that goes by that we do not know who did this to him is unbearable.

“Alexander was a caring and loving boy who had his life tragically cut short by being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. He was like any other young boy who liked to hang out with his friends, play on his computer and work on his passion which was IT.

“March will mark Alexander's 21st birthday, a day that would have been full of celebration to mark the wonderful, kind and intelligent young man he was.”

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, leading the murder investigation, said a vast trawl of CCTV has taken place to track the Range Rover’s movement across London. But officers still want to hear from anyone who knows anything about the vehicle on the night or before.

Alex’s sister Khafi Kareem, left, and mother Victoria Oloniluyi at his funeral
PA

DCI Jolley said: “The investigation continues at great pace. We still believe the answers to a lot of the questions are linked to the white Range Rover in the CCTV we're reissuing today.

“We are determined to find those responsible for this terrible crime which resulted in Alexander tragically losing his life. We are working to find the answers for his family who have been left devastated by his loss.

"If you know anything, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, please come forward. If you do not wish to speak to police, call Crimestoppers which is 100 per cent anonymous.

“We are sure there are people out there who know what happened. The start of a new year offers a chance for you to get that information off your chest. Make the call.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, quoting reference CAD224/08JUN.

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