Omani student living in London stabbed to death on night out with friend in Knightsbridge

BY JULIA GREGORY
Local Democracy Correspondent
yann@slpmedia.co.uk

A student was stabbed to death in Knightsbridge after going out for a meal with a friend.

A murder investigation was launched after police were called to Brompton Road shortly after midnight on Friday, following reports of a knife attack.

Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended and found a man suffering a stab injury.

He was pronounced dead at the scene just before 12.40am.

While formal identification awaits, next of kin have been informed.

Police believe the victim is 20-year-old Mohammed Abdullah Al Araimi, an Omani national who lived in London.

He was a student at King’s College, studying politics and economics.

A post-mortem took place at Westminster Mortuary and confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound.

Mohammed’s friend, also 20, was also found suffering injuries and was taken to hospital. He has since been discharged.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge, of Specialist Crime, leads the investigation.

He said: “Mohammed and his friend were returning home from a restaurant when they were approached and assaulted by two male suspects on Basil Street at the junction of Pavilion Road.

“Following the attack, the suspects fled on foot along Basil Street in the direction of Sloane Street.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw two males running along that route, or to drivers who were in Sloane Street around midnight and may have captured any part of this incident on dash cam footage, to get in contact with my team immediately.

The victim and his friend were entirely blameless, simply enjoying a meal out together.

It does appear that the motive for this cowardly attack was robbery.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0300 or call police on 101; you can also tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.