A 20-year-old man shot dead in West London, has been named by police as Alexander Kareem, who was the younger brother of ex-Big Brother Naija Contestant, Khafi Kareem.
Alexander Kareem, 20, was gunned down close to his family home in Shepherd’s Bush, West London.
His older sister Khafi Kareem, 29, was in mourning last night with relatives following the fatal shooting of her younger brother
Alexander was killed after suffering gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen on Askew Road in Shepherd’s Bush at 12.40am on Monday .
According to detectives, a white Range Rover Evoque linked to the murder was later found burnt out three miles away. The police said they were yet to make any arrests.
He was walking home along Askew Road after a trip to a convenience store when someone opened fire on him. Khafi was in mourning last night with relatives.
A friend told The Sun: “His family is distraught. Alex wouldn’t talk down to anyone – he was friends with everybody.
“They are all good people. His sister Khafi spreads positivity through her YouTube account. She wakes up and prays for people at 7.30 every morning.
“Alex’s brother is trying to get back from Australia to grieve with the rest of his family, his mum is completely devastated.”
The friend added: “After leaving school Alex was the same goofy guy – he was always happy – and always had a smile on his face.”
Dozens of colourful bouquets had been left near the scene of shooting yesterday along with a bottle of brandy and a crucifix.
Mourners left tributes, including one photo showing Alexander with classmates with a message reading “You will always be in our hearts”.
Other pictures were left surrounded by candles, showing the tragic victim as a youth dressed in a blue rugby kit.
One message read: “You’re my hero, so brave. The point of death is there is a heaven.”
Two lads stood by the tributes in silence and wept last night, before pouring water on the flowers.
Another of his pals, 20, who lives in the area, said: “None of our friends moved since school and we see each other around.
“You would see Alex at the pub. He wasn’t tied up in anything, he had no beef and was a sound person.
“That’s why it has hit us hard. Nobody expected it to happen to him.
“People have made comments when they walk past here, they say he was involved in the wrong life.
“Sadly some people see a black boy in a tracksuit and assume he is a gang member, but they’re wrong.
“Alex was the fastest sprinter in primary school, where he went to Good Shepherd. He was always athletic.”