Tributes paid to young man from Bradford who was stabbed

The victim of a fatal stabbing in the Barkerend area of Bradford has been described as a “good lad” who had lots of friends – but “got in with the wrong crowd.”

The 23-year-old, named locally as Luqman Ashfaq, died in hospital after being stabbed on Barlow Street.

In a heart wrenching tribute, his “devastated” family said: “Luqman was a much-loved son, brother and friend to so many.

He was a kind-hearted and loyal man, and the pain we feel from this loss is immeasurable. As a family we are all truly devastated that he has been so cruelly taken from us.”

One man who wanted simply to be known as H, said: “We used to go to the same school, Laisterdyke Leadership Academy.

I knew and spoke to him a few times. He worked at Akbar’s Restaurant and went to the University of Bradford. He was a good lad and had a lot of friends. He was very popular in school, and even at university.”

H added: “From Barkerend to Thornbury, everybody in BD3 knew him. The money he made he gave to his mum. He even made a BBC documentary called the On Top of the World with Mehreen Baig. He had a lot of friends, but got in with the wrong crowd. 

People said he had a lot of respect. He wanted people to respect him. As he went to university, he was the one from his family who made it.”

He said he understood that he didn’t complete his university course.

According to reports on Monday night Luqman was walking and dodged the car which smashed into the wall.

He ran, a chase ensued, but he ran out of breath on Barkerend Road when they caught up to him. A witness said it seemed like they didn’t want to kill him, but “hurt him badly”.

At this time an arrest has yet to be made in relation to the murder inquiry.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson of the Homicide and Major Enquiry team said: “This is a serious and appalling crime in which Mr Ishfaq was chased and set upon by a group of males in the street.

Whilst the motive remains unclear we believe there had been some sort of dispute prior to this incident. There were a number of people in the area who witnessed this incident and who were involved.

 I would directly appeal to those who were involved in any part of the disorder to come forward to Police. His family are truly devastated by this and are being supported by specially trained officers.

She added: “We are working with the local neighbourhood policing team and patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance. Violence has no place on our streets, and we will not hesitate to send a strong message to get the people involved charged and before the courts.”