Schoolboy shot by bike gang 'had never been in trouble'

The mother of a schoolboy shot dead by youths on bicycles says he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Abukar Mahumed, 16, was killed after being chased by half a dozen hooded youngsters with bandanas covering their faces.

The Somali teenager died from a single gunshot to the neck outside a block of council flats in Stockwell, South London, in the early hours of Thursday.

His mother Mulki Ahmed, 42, said her son had never been involved with a gang or in trouble with the police.

At her home in Tulse Hill, South London, she said: "Abukar was a really quiet boy and a very good boy. He was a very good son, a fantastic kid.

"He was the active, sporty type. He played football and went swimming twice a week. And he liked to go out with his friends.

"He was always supportive, honest, helpful and kind. He was so friendly to everybody.

"Around here, there are a lot of boys that are very bad. Abukar was not like that. Abukar was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

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The family are Somali Muslims and Abukar had three brothers Mahamed, 17, Mahamud, 14, and Hassan, 13.

Supported by her 45-year-old husband, Abdirah, Mrs Mahumed added: "My other sons are coping. I am frightened of them going out now, but I cannot stop them. What can I do?"

She said Abukar had been doing well at Stockwell Park High School. "Education was his priority and he had just been accepted into Lambeth College to study science and English in September. He loved anything to do with science."

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Abukar's girlfriend Tenesha left flowers at the murder scene yesterday, with a card that read: "I can't believe that they have taken you so early.

"I can't believe I'm never going to hear your laugh. I will love you always and forever."

It is thought Abukar could have been visiting a cousin who lives on the estate when he was set upon by the gang. A witness saw him hide behind a tree before hearing two shots ring out.

Police said that two guns are believed to have been used.

The killing is the latest in a spate of teenage murders in the capital. So far 17 young people have been killed in London since the beginning of this year.