Victim named as 'much-loved' 87-year-old grandfather Thomas O'Halloran
This man was seen running away from the scene near Western Avenue
A CCTV image of a man running from the scene of a fatal stabbing in Greenford has been released by police.
87-year-old Thomas O'Halloran was killed shortly before 4:06pm this Tuesday (16 August) while travelling on his mobility scooter near Runnymede Gardens at the junction with Cayton Road.
Officers believe he was stabbed closer to Western Avenue and then was able to travel around 75 yards at which point he managed to get assistance from a member of the public.
Despite the efforts of the emergency services, including paramedics from a London's Air Ambulance helicopter, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have released the picture of the man above who was seen running away carrying a knife. He was wearing grey shorts, a dark coloured t-shirt, a white baseball cap and white patterned builder style gloves.
Mr O'Halloran's family have been informed and they are being supported by specialist officers.
Thomas O'Halloran was a well-known and popular member of the local community
Mr O’Halloran was praised by his former MP Stephen Pound who knew him as a constituent.
In an interview on GB News, the former Ealing North MP said, "It's my constituency and I live about half a mile away. Tom was a real local character. He would be outside Greenford station playing the accordion, occasionally the harmonica. He was a sweet, lovely man.
“Greenford is hurting about this. We had a fatal stabbing in Acton about two days ago, when a 58-year-old woman was killed by a younger person.
"Ealing is not a dangerous, dodgy place. It's not the wild west.
"Someone like Thomas O'Halloran was a very Ealing person. He comes from the Irish community, which is very deep in our part of the world.
"The brutality, the cruelty and the evil of his death is really corrosive to us, and it will take us a while to recover."
The police holding a public meeting together with local organisations to provide reassurance to the community in Greenford. It takes place on Thursday 18 August at 7:30pm at Greenford Community Centre, 170 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, UB6 9JS.
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.
“I'd also appeal to anyone who might have dash cam or cycle helmet footage that might have captured the incident to get in touch with us.”
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, who is in charge of policing for west London, including Ealing, said, “Mr O'Halloran had his life needlessly snatched away in a shocking act of unprovoked violence.
“I understand that the community will, quite rightly, be shocked and appalled by this incident as I am too.
“Mr O'Halloran was a very well-known and much-loved member of our community. My thoughts are with his family and friends. I'd like to appeal for their privacy to be respected while they come to terms with their loss.
“Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command, with the assistance of my officers, have been working tirelessly over the last 20 hours to understand what has happened and to identify who is responsible for this horrific crime.
“The public will see extra officers patrolling the area over the coming days. They are there to help and protect you – so if you have any concerns or information that you want to share then please approach them.
“I realise the impact incidents like this have on our communities, but I'd like to reassure you that we are doing all we can to solve the horrendous crimes we've seen across London over the last few days.
“I stress that London remains one of the safest cities in the world, but we need your help and so please come forward with any information you have about this awful incident or any other violent crimes.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with Thomas O'Halloran and his family at this time.”
Anyone with footage of the incident is asked to upload it using this online form.
Anyone who knows the man in the image, or has information about the murder, is asked to call the incident room on 020 8358 0300 quoting 4691/16AUG.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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August 17, 2022->->
