olice investigating the deadly stabbing of 87-year-old Thomas O’Halloran in Greenford have made an arrest.
Mr O’Halloran was discovered with stab wounds in Cayton Street, Greenford, close to the A40 in west London, at 4.06pm on Tuesday.
Officers imagine Mr O’Halloran was stabbed in Western Avenue shortly earlier than 4.06pm earlier than managing to journey 75 yards on his mobility scooter to Runnymede Gardens, the place he flagged down a member of the general public for assist.
From there, officers responded and gave emergency first support till the arrival of the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Regardless of the most effective efforts of the emergency companies, he was pronounced useless on the scene.
Mr O’Halloran commonly busked round Greenford taking part in his accordion and gathering cash to assist Ukraine defend itself in opposition to the Russian invasion.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at a property in Southall within the early hours of Thursday on suspicion of homicide. He stays in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, main the investigation mentioned: “I wish to thank the general public for his or her overwhelming assist following this horrific incident. On account of the discharge of a CCTV picture yesterday, an arrest has been made and this investigation is progressing at tempo.
“Mr O’Halloran’s household have been up to date with this growth and proceed to be supported by specifically skilled officers. I might reiterate their earlier request that their privateness is revered by everybody as they proceed to return to phrases with their tragic loss.”
In the meantime the group in Greenford has paid tribute to Mr O’Halloran describing him as a “good outdated man” who raised a smile together with his busking and basic neighbourliness.
Hitesh Patel, 62, a store proprietor on the close by Greenford station, instructed the Commonplace: “He all the time had a Ukraine flag on the entrance of his basket. It mentioned ‘Assist for Ukraine’. He was an excellent, variety man.
“I noticed him simply earlier than he was killed heading as much as the A40 on his scooter. I used to be filling up with petrol however I want I had mentioned one thing. His spouse was additionally all the time with him in her mobility scooter.
“He instructed me he was Irish and had three sons. It’s so unhappy. I can’t imagine anybody would damage him in broad daylight like that. We are going to miss him and his taking part in round right here.”
Simran Advani, 25, a senior property supervisor, mentioned: “We all the time used to see him on his mobility scooter — he all the time used to smile, he was a pleasant outdated man…It is a very quiet space, you by no means hear any noise on this road.
“It’s scary for a person in his eighties to be killed right here.”
Neighbours mentioned Mr O’Halloran was affectionately often known as “Uncle Tom” and had lived in Greenford because the Seventies.
One neighbour mentioned: “I’m actually upset. He all the time used to say whats up. I watched his boys develop up on the road.”
Forensic specialists have been on Wednesday seen loading luggage into police vans as dozens of officers guarded the scene. A cordon had been thrown across the web site of residential semi-detached homes. It covers a T-junction between Cayton Street and Runnymede Gardens.
Anybody who has info that might assist police ought to name 101 ref CAD 4691/16 Aug
