Haunting video shows OAP, 87, on mobility scooter moments before he is stabbed to death as cops hunt knifeman | The Sun
HAUNTING footage shows the final moments of an 87-year-old who was knifed to death in broad daylight yesterday.
Thomas O'Halloran was attacked by a mob in a "shocking act" of "unprovoked violence" in Greenford, West London at around 4pm yesterday.
Just over 10 minutes before the horror unfolded, the "lovely" granddad was seen riding his mobility scooter home.
He was captured on camera safe and well for the final time as he motored past newsagents Terry’s News in Teignmouth Gardens at 3.48pm.
It's understood Thomas had been busking for charity at a nearby Tesco store yesterday afternoon.
After packing up his accordion and leaving the supermarket, he was surrounded by a gang and fatally injured in Western Avenue.
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He managed to travel 75 yards to Runneymede Gardens on his scooter before begging a passer-by for help.
Separate footage shows members of the public dashing to his side. Despite their efforts, Thomas died at the scene.
No arrests have been made.
However, this afternoon police have released footage of a man seen running from the area with a knife in his hand. They have urged anyone who recognises him to get in touch immediately.
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The man was wearing grey shorts, a dark-coloured t-shirt, a white baseball cap and white patterned builder-style gloves.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are keen to identify the man in the CCTV images as a matter of urgency.
"He is clearly a dangerous individual and people are advised not to approach him, but to call us immediately on 999 if they know him or have any information regarding his whereabouts.
“My team and I have been working around the clock to bring Mr O’Halloran’s killer to justice, but we need your help.
"If you have any information at all that will assist us with our investigation – no matter how small – please contact us or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously."
Thomas, who had lived in the area since the 70s, was well-known to locals as he busked to raise money for Ukrainian refugees. Touching footage shows him beaming outside a supermarket while raising money.
Many neighbours knew him affectionately as "Uncle Tom".
FIND THE KNIFEMAN
Jennie Peston-Howe, 44, said: ''He was a nice old gentleman. He was a nice neighbour and we used to chat occasionally.
''He was just a really decent person who would help with anything you want. If you had a problem or if something was broken he would try and help out.
''He was into cars. He was just a really sweet old man who wouldn't hurt a fly, that's why it is so scary. There is no way he would have provoked anyone.
''He raised money for charity and would always do it near Greenford station.
''I think he lived with his grandson.''
Another neighbour, 63-year-old Fay Terrelonge, said: ''I knew him and he was a lovely man.
''No one had a bad word to say about him. Obviously we are all shocked and upset by this.
He would entertain people when they were coming back from work tired – he would put a smile on people's faces. He was jolly
''He was helpful. Any time you needed help or if you had something broken he would fix it. He helps any time he can.
''He would never just pass someone without speaking to them. He was always friendly.''
Mit Patel, 26, who works in a local shop said: ''He would always play his accordion, every day in the evening outside the station.
''Whenever he would pass by the shop he would say, 'Hello, how are you?' '
"His wife would go on the same scooter and they would both come here."
Dhruv Patel, 26, who works in a local shop, said locals "loved him".
''He would entertain people when they were coming back from work tired – he would put a smile on people's faces. He was jolly," Dhruv said.
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Thomas's death marks the capital’s sixth homicide in just four days.
- Anyone who has information that could help police should call 101 with the reference CAD 4691/16 Aug
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