A man has been charged with murder after the stabbing of an ice cream seller in broad daylight in west London.
Zaher Zaarour, 26, has been remanded into custody following the knife attack on Shazad Khan, 41, in Monks Park, Wembley on Tuesday evening.
He was also charged with possession of a bladed article and will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Met Police officers responded to reports of a stabbing in Monks Park, Wembley, at 6.10pm on Tuesday.
Shazad was treated by the London Ambulance Service but despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 31-year-old woman was arrested at the scene for conspiracy to murder but has since been bailed to return in September pending further enquiries.
Shazad’s family have been informed and continue to be supported by specialist officers, with enquiries ongoing.
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.
A man has been charged with murder after the stabbing of ice cream seller Shazad Khan, pictured, in broad daylight in west London
The scene in Monks Park, Wembley on Wednesday. Zaher Zaarour, 26, has been charged with murder
‘Residents can expect to see an increase of officers in the local area over the next coming days as the investigation continues’.
Yesterday local residents told how Mr Khan was well known in the area for selling ice creams in a van.
He usually had a large teddy bear riding in the van’s passenger seat and was so well liked for his cheerful demeanour that he was nicknamed ‘Mr Smiley’.
Asim Mahmood Butt, 39, who lives in nearby Tokyngton Avenue, said he was childhood friends with the victim.
Speaking at the scene, 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.’
The victim’s van, which had been parked on the road at the time of the incident, was well known locally for its large teddy bear, a witness added.
A blue forensics tent and a number of Met officers could be seen inside a police cordon in Monks Park on Wednesday.
Removal vehicles also took away a separate white van and blue car.
A blue forensics tent has been erected on the street following the stabbing on Tuesday
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, local policing commander for north-west London, previously said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Shazad’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time.
‘This incident will rightly cause concern across the community, but intelligence at this stage leads us to believe there is no wider threat to the public.
‘Detectives are conducting a thorough and fast-paced investigation, and locals can expect to see an uptick in police presence in the area.
‘Anyone with any information – particularly dashcam or doorbell footage from the time of the incident – is urged to speak to us as a matter of urgency.’
