Aya Hachem was just nine years old when she and her family arrived in the UK. Fleeing war and conflict in Lebanon, they sought refuge in Blackburn.
By May 2020, Aya had completed her second year of her law degree at Salford University. Her future was filled with hope. But on a quiet street in Blackburn, on May 17, 2022, the family was torn apart when Aya too was caught in crossfire. However it was not a war which claimed the life of the promising student but a row between rival business owners over the sale of tyres in the town.
As she walked down King Street, two shots were fired from a Toyota Avensis - the first hitting a window at Quickshine Car wash, and the second hitting Aya. The bullet passed through Aya’s body before becoming embedded into a telegraph pole. On April 19, Feroz Suleman called the police to report that eight men were fighting with stones, and one had a bat. The police tried to mediate and it was agreed a barrier needed to be erected between the two businesses.
At every step, conspirators attempted to distance themselves. Abubakir Satia was to purchase the vehicle from Wellington Mills Garage in Blackburn, and when the £300 vehicle wouldn’t start, Kashir Manzoor set to work jump-starting it. Hussain acted as the go-between between the Feroz Suleman, and the ‘hit-squad’ Raja and Ennis. Uthman Satia and his girlfriend Judy Chapman were to take Raja and Ennis to the Toyota Avensis and drive them away from the scene of the shooting.
Tragic story. I Always say Lebanon is safer. Here you either get shot or stabbed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. RIP Aya.
Just tragic 😪
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Source: NECN - 🏆 20. / 71 Read more »