The brother of a man shot dead in an unsolved murder says he lives in fear of an attack by the killer who is still on the loose.
Alexander Kareem, whose sister is a serving Metropolitan Police officer, was shot dead near his home in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, in June 2020 in a case of mistaken identity.
Nine people, including a 16-year-old boy, were arrested over the 20-year-old’s death but have been released and told they will not face any further action.
Alexander’s older brother Kabir, who lives near where the killing happened, told Sky News it is “very likely” he crossed paths with his brother’s killer, or someone he knows who is responsible and afraid of what their response might be.
It comes after Mr Kareem and his sister, PC Khafi Kareem, who has over 1.4 million Instagram followers after appearing on Big Brother Nigeria, publicly appealed for anyone with information about the murder of his brother was manifested.
Kareem said: “Given that the killers will know who I am because we have publicly tried to seek justice, I have to be careful.
“I don’t know how they would react when they found me.
“I have to be careful every time I leave the house.
“If a car pulls up, an unknown vehicle, I’m ready when these things happen.
“It’s mentally draining. It’s something I’ve had to live with and learn to deal with.”
Image: The shooting took place in Shepherd’s Bush, west London
“I don’t want to live a life of fear”
Mr Kareem, 29, said he had thought about moving to another area but did not want to be “pushed away”.
“I don’t want to live a life of fear and think I have to run away from what happened,” he added.
“The people who need my support are here. I don’t think it’s right for me to leave.”
Alexander was on his way to a friend’s house on an electric scooter when he was attacked shortly after 12.30am on June 8, 2020.
Police believe a white Range Rover drove past and shot him in Askew Road, Shepherd’s Bush, in a case of mistaken identity. The vehicle was later found burned.
Sky News revealed earlier this month that hundreds of murders have gone unsolved in London over the past two decades, including incidents where victims have been shot, stabbed, strangled and drowned.
Kareem said he still hoped his brother’s killer would be caught, but was concerned that “there doesn’t seem to be as much attention paid to this investigation.”
Image: Kabir Kareem says he is “precise” every time he steps out of the house
“I will never give up hope,” he said.
“(Police) say they’re actively investigating it, but it honestly doesn’t feel that way at the moment.”
“Stuck in that place of pain”
Kareem said his mother is “still in a dark place” more than two years after the killing of her son, who was described by his family as a “computer genius” and planned to go to college .
“We cannot move forward as a family knowing that no one has been held responsible for the murder,” he said.
“It keeps us stuck in this place of pain.
“It’s still hard to take. You think about it every day. There’s not a day that goes by where you don’t think about him.
Image: Alexander was described by his family as a ‘computer genius’
“If I see someone who looks like him, like a young kid with glasses, it brings out those memories and triggers certain thoughts.
“It excites you.”
Asked if he believed people know who killed his brother and hasn’t come forward, he said: “Definitely.”
In a direct message to these people, Kareem said: “You cannot protect the same people who are destroying our communities.
“(Alex) wasn’t involved in gangs … he was just a young person.
“He could have been anybody’s brother, he could have been anybody’s son.”
Image: Alexandre Khafi’s sister (L) and mother Victoria (R) during his burial
Victim’s sister ‘angry’ at killer still at large
On the second anniversary of Alexander’s death in June, his sister Khafi said her brother was “murdered in cold blood on the streets of London” and her pain “felt like a dagger” in her chest.
“Two years later and her killers still haven’t been found. That’s not good,” he said.
“It hurts every day and it doesn’t get any easier, I just find better ways to suppress my pain as time goes on, but every time it comes up it’s like a dagger in the chest again.”
Kareem said the news of “young black men dying needlessly … has really triggered me” and was angry that those responsible for his brother’s murder “are still walking the streets.”
“It makes me so, so angry,” he added.
“If you have information about Alex’s death, it’s not too late to speak up.”
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The Met Police have previously said they “will not stop until we catch those responsible” for Alexander’s murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley said: “There will be no stone left unturned in this case. We may be two years on but I can assure you that does not mean we are slowing down.
“In any case, we are more determined than ever to catch those responsible and bring justice for Alexander and his family.”
Anyone with information about Alexander’s murder is asked to call the police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111