The identities of the teenagers who killed Prince Walker-Ayeni have been revealed as his mother expresses her unbearable pain over the loss.
The incident happened on April 4 last year when the two groups crossed paths on Raby Street. A fight broke out, and Prince was chased down. Qasem stabbed him three times, and they both ran off, leaving him to die. They claimed they acted in self-defense, but a jury didn’t buy it.
After a lengthy trial, they were sentenced last month. Qasem will serve at least 15 years, while Mia must serve a minimum of eight-and-a-half years. Their identities were kept secret until a legal challenge allowed the press to name them.
Prince’s mother, Kayon Walker, shared her heartbreak during the sentencing. She said her pain is unbearable and that it’s hard to see her children suffering too. She described Prince as a remarkable person who spread love and kindness.
The judge noted the public’s right to know who committed such serious crimes. The case has raised concerns about knife crime and how young people can get involved in such violence. A witness saw the attack unfold and reported that Qasem pulled out a knife during the scuffle.
Despite the emergency services’ efforts, Prince was pronounced dead that afternoon. His death is a painful reminder of the consequences of knife crime, affecting not just the victim but their families and communities. The police have expressed their condolences to Prince’s family, acknowledging the lasting impact of this tragedy.
