Police reportedly stormed house in Southall to make arrest
Thomas O'Halloran was a well-known and popular member of the local community
The man being held on suspicion of the murder of Thomas O’Halloran has been named as 44-year-old Lee Byer.
He has been charged with stabbing the 87-year-old man to death as he was riding on his scooter near the A40 Western Avenue. He is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Friday, 19 August.
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, police officers used a battering ram to enter a semi-detached house on Allenby Avenue in Southall to make the arrest in the early hours of Thursday morning (18 August).
A local shopkeeper told the newspaper that Byer had been in his store the previous Saturday buying a birthday card and chocolates.
Byer had been living at the address for a short time with other family members for a short time.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, who is leading the investigation, said, “I would like to thank the public for their overwhelming support following this horrific incident.
“As a result of the release of a CCTV image yesterday (Wednesday), an arrest has been made and this investigation is progressing at pace.”
A search of the area near the stabbing continues as the police continue to collect evidence.
I cannot believe I'm writing this
— The Reels (@The_Reels_uk) August 17, 2022
I met this wonderful man Thomas O'Halloran this June, playing tunes outside Tesco's in Perivale. He was 87 years of age!
This gentleman, was stabbed to death on his mobility scooter in broad daylight yesterday afternoon in Greenford!
R.I.P ?? pic.twitter.com/L1kJxVhyZ3
The police have requested that the privacy of Mr O’Halloran’s family be respected at this time. The grandfather who was a popular figure in the Greenford community who was seen playing an accordion in local train stations was originally from Ennistymon in County Clare.
Anyone with footage of the incident is asked to upload it using this online form.
If you have any other information about the murder, you are 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 19, 2022
