An 18-year-old stabbed to death outside his home on a busy road was killed defending his family, according to his sister.
Hussain Chaudhury, a first year law student, died “cradled in his mother’s arms” following the attack in Walthamstow, northeast London, she said.
Police and paramedics were called to Lea Bridge Road at around 5.20pm on Wednesday.
"Such a wonderful human being…a kind, funny soul" – one of the tributes left to Hussain Chaudhry, a teenage law student stabbed to death outside his home in Walthamstow yesterday afternoon pic.twitter.com/Cf2Tn1N45i
The teenager, who suffered a stab wound to the neck, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His mother and brother both suffered slash wounds to their hands in the incident.
Flowers have been left outside the family home where he died.
The victim’s sister Afia Ahmed Chaudhry wrote on Twitter: “Yesterday my beautiful baby brother left this world the same way he came in, cradled in my mother’s arms.
“He died defending his family. His eyes were bright, his face showed no pain, he was at peace. To God we belong & to Him we return. You’re home now baby, I’ll see you soon.”
An online fundraising appeal set up in Mr Chaudhury’s honour said: “Hussain was an incredibly kind and beautiful soul who always looked out for others.
“He was someone who always had a smile on his face, and was a blessing to the community.”
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we say goodbye to the wonderfully talented, funny and brilliant ex student Hussain Chaudhry. Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.
Detective Chief Inspector Perry Benton, of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime command, has urged anyone driving in the area at the time to check dash-cam footage, and for local residents to check doorbell cameras.
He said: “A young man has lost his life in tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this awful time.
“The attack happened on a busy road during rush hour and I know there would have been lots of vehicles passing at the time of the incident.”
Detective Superintendent Paul Whiteman said additional officers will be in the area over the coming days to help reassure the community.
He said: “We remain committed to tackling violent crime and we are working with a number of partners to help us prevent another tragic loss of life.
“You will see extra officers in the area this week and they will be using a range of tactics to target those who choose to put others in danger by carrying a knife.”