Wednesday 17 August 2022 02:01 PM Hunt for suspect seen running from scene of mobility scooter murder in ... trends now
Detectives were today hunting a knifeman seen running away from the scene where a 'very kind' 87-year-old man riding a mobility scooter was stabbed to death in a shocking daylight attack in London.
Thomas O'Halloran was knifed in Greenford, West London, at about 4pm yesterday before managing to travel around 75 yards on his mobility scooter, where he flagged down a member of the public for help.
This afternoon, police released pictures of a 'dangerous individual' seen fleeing the scene of the attack on Mr O'Halloran - who was originally from Ennistymon in Ireland - and said officers wanted to identify him urgently.
The victim, who was a busker and well-known among locals as a regular musician at South Greenford railway station, was attacked in what is thought to have been the 59th murder in the capital so far this year.
Mr O'Halloran raised money for victims of the Ukraine war and was described by Scotland Yard's local policing chief as a 'much loved member of our community' following the death which 'devastated' Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Officers believe that Mr O'Halloran was stabbed on the busy A40 Western Avenue 'before managing to travel 75 yards or so on his mobility scooter' to Runnymede Gardens where neighbours tried to save him.
Police were called and gave Mr O'Halloran emergency first aid until the arrival of the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance - but, despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His killer is thought to have fled in the seconds after the attack and there have been no arrests, with police appealing for witnesses.
Thomas O'Halloran, 87, was riding a mobility scooter in Greenford, West London, when he was stabbed to death yesterday
Scotland Yard released images of a man 'they are keen to identify as a matter of urgency' who was seen fleeing the scene
The 87-year-old victim's mobility scooter, which was well-known amongst locals who often saw him playing the accordion on it outside South Greenford rail station and Tesco, was left at the scene of the crime - pictured yesterday
Police said the man was wearing shorts, a dark coloured T-shirt, a white baseball cap and white patterned builder style gloves
The stabbing took place just off the busy A40 Western Avenue (pictured) in what locals describe as a 'very quiet' area
Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, who leading the investigation, said: 'We are keen to identify the man in the CCTV images as a matter of urgency.
'He is clearly a dangerous individual and people are advised not to approach him, but to call us immediately on 999 if they know him or have any information regarding his whereabouts.
'My team and I have been working around the clock to bring Mr O'Halloran's killer to justice, but we need your help. If you have any information at all that will assist us with our investigation - no matter how small - please contact us or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously.'
'I'd also appeal to anyone who might have dash cam or cycle helmet footage that might have captured the incident to get in touch with us.'
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, who is in charge of policing for West London, including Ealing, said: 'Mr O'Halloran had his life needlessly snatched away in a shocking act of unprovoked violence.
'I understand that the community will, quite rightly, be shocked and appalled by this incident as I am too.
'Mr O'Halloran was a very well known and much loved member of our community. My thoughts are with his family and friends. I'd like to appeal for their privacy to be respected while they come to terms with their loss.
'Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, with the assistance of my officers, have been working tirelessly over the last 20 hours to understand what has happened and to identify who is responsible for this horrific crime.
'The public will see extra officers patrolling the area over the coming days. They are there to help and protect you – so if you have any concerns or information that you want to share
