Parsons Green stabbing: Tributes paid to 'good guy' killed after confronting drug dealer outside Tube station

Tributes are being paid to a man who was stabbed to death near Parsons Green Tube station after confronting a drug dealer.

Omid Saidy died at the scene on Monday night, just hours before a charity worker was killed on his doorstep in an unrelated attack elsewhere in London.

The Metropolitan Police said 20-year-old Mr Saidy had “confronted a drug dealer and another male who was with him” near Parsons Green station, where a homemade bomb partly exploded in a terror attack last month.

“The victim then chased the two suspects in the direction of Beaconsfield Walk,” a spokesperson said.

“During this pursuit he caught up with the suspects and was fatally stabbed.

“A 20-year-old man who is a friend of the deceased came to his aid and was also stabbed.”

Mr Saidy’s friend arrived at the scene on a moped, crashing into a parked car, but Scotland Yard are not treating the incident is not a “moped-enabled crime” following a spike in incidents involving the vehicles.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh urged anyone with information on the attack to come forward, adding: ”A young man has tragically lost his life for simply asking a drug dealer to move on.”

Friends of Mr Saidy described him as a gentle young man who was “one of the good guys”, saying he had never been in trouble with the police and was from a good family.

Laying flowers at the scene of his death, his grandmother told the Evening Standard: “He was just the greatest boy. He was just the best, he was caring and lovely.

“He was a volunteer youth worker. He didn’t deserve this - we are devastated.”

Mr Saidy’s friend remains in hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.

A 16-year-old boy who was also injured in the incident was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after being discharged from hospital and remains in custody.

Another suspect, described as a black male dressed in dark clothing, fled following the attack and police are appealing for information to trace him.

DCI McHugh said: “At this early stage we are piecing together a picture of how the sequence of events leading to and immediately following the murder took place.

"It is imperative that we speak to anyone who was in the area of Parsons Green station between 7pm and 8pm who may have witnessed the murder or the actions of the suspects immediately following the incident.

“In addition, I am keen to identify the black male who fled Parsons Green Lane immediately following the murder and am appealing for footage that members of the public may have recorded as events in the area took place.”

It came after a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death in Forest Gate, East London, on Sunday afternoon. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder.

On the same evening as the Parsons Green attack charity worker Abdul Samad was stabbed in the heart by moped robbers who are believed to have targeted him for his iPhone 7.

The 28-year-old, who had been on his way home from playing computer games at a friend’s house, was found bleeding on his doorstep by his parents and died in hospital hours later.

Two suspects, aged 17 and 18, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are being held in custody.

Anyone who witnessed the Parsons Green incident or has mobile phone footage should contact the incident room on 0208 785 8099 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.