Eighteen-year-old Yusuf Sonko has been murdered in Liverpool, UK. The young man of Gambian descent was shot in the head in the crime-infested Merseyside area of the English city just before 8.30pm last Friday.
The Liverpool Echo wrote: “Medics battled to save Yusuf on the pavement and he was rushed to Royal Liverpool University Hospital but died a short while later of his injuries. Dozens of members of the community paid tribute to the teenager by leaving flowers at the scene.
Residents have also spoken out in fear after the shocking incident as forensic teams combed the scene for clues.
Christopher Dean, 62, of Croxteth Grove, told the Echo: “I was told an 18-year-old black lad was shot in the head. I am frightened when things like this happen, it is scary. I was born and bred here but so much has changed and the attitude of young people now is unbelievable. I often sit on the benches opposite where the shooting happened and do drawings but I have to look over my shoulder all the time as groups of youths and lots of cars gather here. It is a sad world nowadays.”
The senseless killing was Merseyside’s third shooting in the space of 24 hours after two other incidents on Thursday night.
A police spokesperson said: “His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers at this difficult time. A post mortem will take place in due course and detectives will remain at the scene this morning as enquiries continue.”
One woman wasn’t able to speak much as she was quite badly shaken. All she said was “it’s terrible, he’s just a kid.”
A man said he saw a group of lads walking towards the area shortly before the incident happened in the corner. He said: “They were walking into the corner quite quickly as I was coming past on my scooter. I didn’t think anything of it until I came back and saw all the police. I feel sick thinking that I might have been able to help.”
CCTV footage from the area will also be examined in a bid to identify the offender, or offenders. Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Richardson, said:
“This was a cold blooded, targeted attack which has taken away the life of an 18-year-old man, who should have had the rest of his life to look forward to. A family has been shattered and their lives will never be the same again, we need to find those responsible. No mother, or father, expects to bury their child at the age of 18 years and I can’t begin to imagine what this young man’s family are going through.”
“Investigation is in its early stages but I would urge anyone who saw the incident or anyone acting suspiciously in the area just before 8.30pm to contact us immediately. Any information may be vital to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice.
“We are relentless in pursuing those who choose to bring firearms onto the streets of Merseyside. I am sure local people will be appalled that this has taken place in daylight hours. Information from the community will always be acted on, so help us remove those responsible and their weapons from the streets,” he pleaded.
