This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
On December 5, 2019, a senseless tragedy unfolded in east London, leaving a family and community in shock. A 26-year-old man, Sahal Abi, was arrested in Ipswich on Tuesday and charged with the murder of Randy Skuse, a 27-year-old Kenyan man.
Skuse was stabbed to death during a fight that broke out at a friend's house on Buckle Street, Whitechapel, where a birthday party was being held. A post-mortem report revealed that Skuse died from a single stab wound.
Three other men were also stabbed during the chaos, but their injuries were not life-threatening, according to the Metropolitan Police. Seven suspects were initially arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, but four were later released.
Skuse's family has described him as an 'innocent soul' who had been acting as a 'peacemaker' when he was killed. His mother, Rahab Mugo, told reporters that her son had been laughing and joking minutes before he was stabbed.
Ms Mugo said that Skuse had attended the birthday party of a childhood friend and had been stabbed when a fight broke out in the morning. She expressed her gratitude to friends, family, and members of the Kenyan community who have supported her following her son's death.
