Police have named a man charged with murdering a well-known ice cream seller in Wembley. Zaher Zaarour, of the North Circular Road, is accused of stabbing Shazad Khan, 41, to death in Monks Park on Tuesday evening (August 19).
The 26-year-old will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Friday (August 22). The Metropolitan Police was called to the scene at 6.10pm following reports of an altercation.
Mr Khan was initially treated by paramedics but died at the scene shortly afterwards. His family are being supported by specialist officers.
An investigation was launched following the fatal attack which led to Zaarour being arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning (August 20). A woman, aged 31, was arrested at the scene for conspiracy to murder, but has been bailed to return to the police station in September while enquiries continue.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller, who is leading the investigation from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “I would like to thank the community for their help and support during this investigation. Residents can expect to see an increase of officers in the local area over the next coming days as the investigation continues”.
Local residents said that Mr Khan was well known in the area for selling ice creams in a van.
Asim Mahmood Butt, 39, who lives in nearby Tokyngton Avenue, said he was childhood friends with the victim.Speaking at the scene on Wednesday, he said: “I got a call from one of my cousins.
“This guy, we know him – he’s a famous ice cream guy. He got stabbed yesterday. I came here and his body was still here, and police had cordoned off the area. I know his brothers as well – they’re all local. We all used to play cricket and football here in Monks Park. He started (selling) ice cream about a year ago.”
Mr Butt said Mr Khan was married and had a young daughter. The ice cream van, which had been parked on the road at the time of the incident, was well known locally for having a large teddy bear, the witness added.
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