9:05am Friday 20th August 2004
By Ushma Mistry
THE family of a popular teenager who was killed at a Tube station paid an emotional tribute to a great role model'.
Sayed Najeebullah Abbas, 19, of South Acton, died from a knife wound to the heart following an incident at Hounslow West Tube station last Thursday night. His father Sayed Zabullah Abbas, 45, broke down at a press conference as he described his eldest son's last words to his mother.
Speaking through a family member, Mr Abbas, wiping away tears from his eyes, told members of the press: "In the morning he told his mother that one day you will see me on television and on the internet and I will be famous'.
"She did see him on television and on the internet but unfortunately in an unimaginable way."
The former Acton High student was described as the life and soul of any party and a caring son, a loving brother and a loyal friend'. His death has sent shockwaves across all communities.
Family have travelled from as far as Afghanistan, Canada, America and Europe, to pay their respects to a boy described as a great young man'.
Sayed, who was affectionately known as Najeeb to his family, has a 14-year-old brother and a ten-year-old sister who are both finding it difficult to come to terms with his death.
The Manchester United fan had a lot of friends and was with two of his close friends when he died. Six men have been arrested and charged in connection with Sayed's death. A seventh person is still being sought.
Sayed's family say they cannot rest until this person is caught and Mr Abbas made an emotional appeal to him to hand himself in. Holding up a picture of his eldest son, Mr Abbas said: "How could they attack someone like this? Somebody somewhere knows who this person is and we are appealing to your conscience to hand yourself in."
DI Andy Mortimer said: "The family have been through a tremendous amount of pain since last Friday morning.
"Why did this happen? This was nothing to do with rival gangs, race or religion.
"They were just three lads in the wrong place at the wrong time. We owe it to Sayed's family to bring this person to justice.
Somebody in the community knows who this person is and we will find him."
The seventh person police would like to trace is black and believed to be of Somali origin, aged 16 to 18 and was wearing dark clothing with a pattern across his top.
Anyone with information or any witnesses to the attack should call DI Andy Mortimer on 020 8358 0100 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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