The West Hendon teenager murdered in Wealdstone last night was attacked because he was Somalian, a friend claims.
Hassan Kul Hawadleh, 19, of Rosemead, died last night after he was knifed in the torso at a petrol station.
Abdul Hassan, 22, one of his friends, said the attackers did not know Mr Hawadleh, but had targeted him because of his Somalian background.
He said: “Yesterday afternoon before Hassan got stabbed two of my other friends got run up to by guys in bandanas, who were Afghan and black.
“Four of them ran from behind and two from in front but then just said 'it's not them' before running off. These must be the same guys.”
He said Hassan was with a friend, Abdulwahid, when they were attacked by the group.
He said: “Everyone loved the guy. He was just a happy guy and not the sort to be involved in trouble or gangs.
“There's no reason why people would target him – he was just killed for being Somalian.”
Reports are linking the attack to gang violence in the Harrow area, but neighbours and friends of Mr Hawadleh have said he was not involved in a gang.
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