The brother of a 17-year-old boy stabbed to death in Sutton has paid tribute to the “kind and caring” teenager and revealed the heartbreaking moment he found out about the death via ring doorbell footage of the police telling his parents the news.
Ilyas Habibi got into an altercation with a suspect, who then fled the scene, minutes after leaving Sutton station on December 5.
Police were called to Sutton High Street, where the teenage boy was found injured, just after 7pm.
Ilyas was treated at the scene but could not be saved.
His older brother has paid tribute to the “hardworking” teenager who was “delighting to be around,” Your Local Guardian reports.
The 20-year-old, known only as Mr Habibi, said his heart is aching and he can still see his brother when he closes his eyes.
He said: “He was caring and loving to my parents and his siblings and friends” and added: “He never done anything to anyone, was a really nice boy who was loved by everyone.”
The brother explained Ilyas was an enthusiastic Arsenal fan and he would always shout at the television when the team played.
Ilyas had also been doing well in his construction course at Croydon College and had a bright future ahead of him, his brother continued.
Mr Habibi described the moment he received a phone call that Ilyas was stabbed as “every brother’s worst nightmare”.
He explained he had got a phone notification from the family's doorbell camera and decided to check the footage as he thought Ilyas had returned home.
He said: “I saw two officers standing outside and my dad answered the door and the officers said, ‘Are you Ilyas’ mum and dad?’
“They said: Yes. And the officers responded: “Ilyas has been stabbed and is dead.”
A week after Ilyas’ death, Mr Habibi is shocked no arrests have since been made.
He said: “It doesn’t help my mum knowing that his son’s killer is sleeping in nice warm house, eating nice food and walking around like nothing's happened, while my brother’s body is in a freezer in hospital.”
The family continue to be supported by specialist officers.
Metropolitan Police detective chief inspector Mike Nolan previously said: “We know that Ilyas arrived at Sutton High Street by train. Minutes after he came out of the station he was involved in an altercation with the suspect who then fled the scene.
“Ilyas had suffered fatal wounds. It isn’t clear if the suspect was also injured. If you know the suspect, or if you are him, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information concerning the incident can call the incident room direct on 0208 721 4622; call police on 101 or Tweet on ‘X’ @MetCC quoting 6107/5DEC.
