Boy, 16, killed in Sheffield ‘hit and run’ was walking ‘to pick up a takeaway’

A 16-year-old schoolboy killed in a suspected hit-and-run in Sheffield was on his way to pick up a takeaway, witnesses have said.

Abdullah Yaser Abdullah Al Yazidi, known locally as Abdul, was walking along the pavement on Staniforth Road, in Darnall, when he was hit by a grey Audi on Wednesday afternoon.

The car appeared to swerve towards three e-bike riders, crashing into one of them before hitting Abdul.

He was taken to hospital but died of his injuries. The 18-year-old e-bike rider sustained serious injuries which are not life-threatening.

Shabnam Begum, 34, witnessed the aftermath and arrived to crowds of people filming on their phones and emergency services.

‘I crossed over and saw Abdul on the floor. His skin colour was pale and he had dry lips. There was screaming and shouting all around,’ she told Metro.

‘I went back to my home and grabbed some bedsheets and returned to cover him up.

‘It was heartbreaking to witness. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

Shabnam has lived in the area for around 20 years and said that Abdul worked in what locals call the ‘red shop’ with his older brother and dad by the Al-Shafeey Centre mosque.

‘His dad sent him to pick up a takeaway before it happened,’ she added.

The mum-of-two lives across the road from where the crash occurred and said Abdul, his dad, older brother and sister moved to Darnall to escape war-torn Yemen six months ago.

Abdul’s mum later joined the family once they had settled in to their new life in the UK.

‘He was a very happy child who would always give it his 100% in the shop because he came from a war-torn country,’ she said.

‘He was a beautiful young boy. I can never forget his smile every time I visited the shop.

‘I would often ask if he was ok in the shop and he would put his little thumb up.’

Shabnam said that people in the community are meant to be celebrating Eid but the mood is subdued since Abdul’s death.

She said that speeding on the main road has been an issue for many years with many drivers going over the 20mph limit.

Shabnam says she feels unsafe in the area following the crash because Abdul was hit on the pavement.

‘I’m always extra careful looking both ways before I cross the road since the crash.

‘It has really impacted people in the local area but what is nice is that the community has come together to remember him.’

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. They both remain in police custody.

Two people, a man, aged 46, and a woman, aged 45, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have both been bailed pending further enquiries.

A tribute to the teen posted on Facebook reads: ‘The teenager who was struck by a vehicle in Darnall has been named as 16-year-old Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy. 

‘Abdullah, known locally as Abdul, was a beloved member of the Al-Shafeey Centre mosque.

‘May Allah grant him the highest ranks of Jannah and grant his family and friends strength and patience during this unimaginable time.

‘It is deeply heartbreaking to see his photo—a boy always smiling, always full of joy.

‘He worked tirelessly alongside his father and had plans to begin college soon.’

Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood, described it as a ‘heartbreaking case’ which involved a ‘completely innocent boy’.

He confirmed a team of detectives are working at pace to piece together the circumstances which unfolded.

He added: ‘I am renewing our message to not share footage of this incident which may cause further distress to Abdullah’s loved ones. They have lost a son and beloved member of the family in the most tragic of circumstances and have requested for their privacy to be respected.’

Police have urged people to send through footage, imagery or information that may help in their investigation.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.