'Action must be taken': Sheffield urged to stand together against gun crime after latest murder in city

On the day that friends and relatives of Khurm Javed gather to pay their respects to the dad-of-two close to the spot where he was shot dead, the city is being urged to show it is ‘united as one’ in the fight against gun crime.

Mr Javed, aged 30, who worked as a solicitor in the city, was shot dead on Clough Road, close to Bramall Lane, last Saturday night.

South Yorkshire Police said there was a confrontation between ‘two parties' before Mr Javed was gunned down.

Two men, aged 21 and 23, were arrested on suspicion of murder and later released on bail after police questioning.

The police probe into the killing is ongoing.

Ahead of the gathering outside St Mary’s Church at 3pm today, family friend Parwaiz Khan said Mr Javed’s life was ‘snatched away from him’.

He said action on gun crime is needed and ‘the coming together of different communities and cultures’ against gun crime would be something Mr Javed would have supported.

He said: “In memory of the late Khuram Javed (Khurm), the local community are organising a get-together to pay tribute and to commemorate the beautiful life of our brother.

“Khuram (Khurm) was a solicitor by profession, a devoted family man and a father-of-two who became a victim of gun crime. He was an honourable law-abiding man who had his precious life snatched away from him so young.

“I invite everyone from all faiths and backgrounds to attend this gathering to show their appreciation and support. This is also an opportunity to create awareness on gun related crimes and to show the world that we are all equals and united as one. The coming together of different communities and cultures is something Khuram (Khurm) would have wanted to see.

“Most importantly, we don’t want another innocent life to be taken the same way Khuram’s (Khurm’s) life was taken from us. It is an indescribable loss and action must be taken to ensure no parent grieves the loss of their child.

“This is the first step towards change and I urge everyone to attend so we can start by making a difference.”

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