Innocent Teen Was Walking to Meet His Father for Dinner When Grey Audi Mounted Pavement in Horrific Attack
A 16-year-old schoolboy who had recently arrived in Britain from Yemen “for a better future” was brutally killed in a suspected hit-and-run attack as he walked along a Sheffield pavement on his way to meet his father for dinner.
Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy, known affectionately as “Abdul” to friends and family, was struck down by a grey Audi on Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of Sheffield on Wednesday afternoon, in what police are treating as a murder investigation.
The tragedy unfolded at approximately 4:50pm when a grey Audi drove towards three electric bikes, colliding with one rider. As the vehicle continued its deadly path, it mounted the pavement and struck young Abdullah, who was simply walking from his family’s shop nearby.
MURDER CHARGES FILED
In a significant development, South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that two men have been charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder in connection with the devastating incident. While initial reports indicated arrests had been made, including a 20-year-old man arrested in Kent on suspicion of murder, the force has now moved forward with formal charges.
The driver failed to stop at the scene, sparking a major manhunt that saw officers working around the clock to track down those responsible. Three other people have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, as investigators piece together the events of that tragic afternoon.
A DREAM CUT SHORT
The heartbreaking details of Abdullah’s final moments have emerged through tributes from devastated family and friends. Abdullah’s relative Saleh Alsirkal runs the corner shop on Staniforth Road which the teenager visited just before the crash.
Speaking through tears, Mr Alsirkal revealed the cruel irony of the tragedy: “His dad brought him over to change his life, to get a better future for his son, but this has happened and destroyed everything.
The teenager had had a hospital appointment earlier in the afternoon and popped into the store, as he often did, before heading off to find some food. He was on his way to meet his father for a meal together when his life was so cruelly cut short.
COMMUNITY IN MOURNING
The tight-knit community in Darnall has been left reeling from the senseless loss of a young life full of promise. The Facebook page South Yorkshire Janazah Announcement described him as a “beloved member of the Al-Shafeey Centre mosque”.
Abdullah’s friend Oasmah Thabet painted a picture of a caring, family-oriented young man: “What I can tell you for certain about him is that he really cared for his family. You can really tell the character of somebody by the support they give to their family.”
Mr Thabet added poignantly: “To the people who would come around and just say hello to him, he would light up their faces with a big smile.”
A BOY WHO WANTED TO LEARN
Despite only being in the UK for a few months, Abdullah had thrown himself into his new life with enthusiasm. Mr Alsirkal said Abdullah was a “kind boy” who just wanted to look after his family, including his three sisters. He said he was really enjoying learning English.
His friend confirmed: “He was here for a few months and was starting the learn English as well.” The teenager’s eagerness to integrate and build a new life makes his death all the more tragic.
HORROR ON THE HIGH STREET
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and horror as the grey Audi careered along Staniforth Road. The vehicle first targeted three electric bikes before continuing its deadly trajectory onto the pavement where Abdullah was walking.
An 18-year-old rider of one of the e-bikes also suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital, though his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Local business owners who reviewed CCTV footage described the incident as “truly horrific”, with crowds of shocked witnesses gathering at the scene in the immediate aftermath.
POLICE PLEA FOR JUSTICE
Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood, the Senior Investigating Officer, described the incident as tragic, stating that Abdullah was “an entirely innocent bystander” to whatever confrontation had occurred.
The detective has made urgent appeals for witnesses, particularly seeking to speak with the riders of two other electric bikes who were in the area at the time of the collision.
Police have also warned the public against sharing distressing footage of the incident on social media, out of respect for Abdullah’s grieving family.
A FUTURE STOLEN
The cruel irony of Abdullah’s death has not been lost on those who knew him. Mr Thabet reflected: “The reason our family came here was for a better life – to live the dream. For something to happen like this and for your dreams to be cut so short, it’s a tragic loss for the family and it’s a just a shock that can’t be described.
As the legal process moves forward with murder charges now filed, a family is left to grieve for a son who traveled thousands of miles for safety and opportunity, only to have his life brutally cut short on a Sheffield street.
The community has rallied around Abdullah’s family, with local councillor Qais Al-Ahdal writing: “Abdullah Yaha Al-Zaidy, 16yrs old, hit by the car yesterday while peacefully walking on the pavement, has passed away. This could’ve been any of us in Darnall.”
As two men now face murder charges and the wheels of justice begin to turn, nothing can bring back the smiling teenager who simply wanted to make a better life for himself and his family in his new home.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 630 of 4 June 2025, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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[…] Abdullah, 16, had visited corner shop run by relative minutes before fatal Darnall collision that also left e-bike rider seriously injured […]
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