A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of beloved ice cream seller Shazad Khan in a west London park, as knife crime continues to plague the capital’s streets.
Zaher Zaarour was remanded into custody after being charged with the murder of 41-year-old Khan, who was fatally attacked in Monks Park, Wembley, on Tuesday evening. Zaarour faces additional charges of possession of a bladed article and will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court today.
The Metropolitan Police responded to reports of an altercation at 6.10pm on Tuesday, discovering Khan with multiple stab wounds. Despite the best efforts of London Ambulance Service paramedics, the father-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene in what witnesses described as a shocking daylight attack.
Community Mourns ‘Famous Ice Cream Guy’
Local residents have expressed their devastation at the loss of Khan, who was known throughout the neighbourhood for his cheerful demeanour and distinctive ice cream van featuring a large teddy bear in the passenger seat. The popular vendor had earned the affectionate nickname “Mr Smiley” from customers who appreciated his warm personality.
“This guy, we know him – he’s a famous ice cream guy,” said Asim Mahmood Butt, 39, a childhood friend who lives on nearby Tokyngton Avenue.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller, leading the investigation from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, acknowledged the community’s grief: “I would like to thank the community for their help and support during this investigation.
Second Arrest in Murder Investigation
A 31-year-old woman arrested at the scene on suspicion of conspiracy to murder has been bailed until September pending further enquiries. The investigation remains active, with detectives working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal attack.
Forensics teams erected a blue tent at the crime scene on Wednesday, whilst removal vehicles took away Khan’s distinctive ice cream van along with a separate white van and blue car. The victim’s van, which had been parked on the road during the incident, was towed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Rising Knife Crime Concerns
The tragedy comes amid troubling statistics showing knife crime in London remains at alarming levels. Metropolitan Police data reveals the force recorded 16,297 knife-enabled crimes in the year ending March 2025, representing a 9 per cent increase from the previous year.
Across the capital, knife or sharp instrument offences reached 15,016 in 2023/24, the highest number since 2019/20 when 15,928 offences were recorded. The Metropolitan Police alone accounts for 31 per cent of all knife-enabled crime across England and Wales.
Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, local policing commander for north-west London, sought to reassure worried residents: “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.”
Police Appeal for Witnesses
Authorities have implemented an increased police presence in the Monks Park area as the investigation continues. Officers are particularly keen to obtain dashcam or doorbell footage from the time of the incident.
“Detectives are conducting a thorough and fast-paced investigation, and locals can expect to see an uptick in police presence in the area,” Williams confirmed.
The senior officer added: “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.”
Knife Crime’s Devastating Impact
Khan’s death highlights the ongoing crisis of knife violence affecting London communities. According to the latest Office for National Statistics data, knives or sharp instruments were used in 40 per cent of homicides across England and Wales in the year ending March 2025.
The incident occurred in Brent, where knife crime has become an increasing concern for local authorities and residents. Youth engagement programmes and increased police patrols have been implemented across the borough, yet incidents continue to devastate families and communities.
Specialist officers are providing support to Khan’s family as they come to terms with their loss. The ice cream seller leaves behind grieving relatives who must now navigate life without the man known for bringing joy to neighbourhood children and adults alike.
As Zaarour prepares for his court appearance, the Wembley community grapples with the senseless loss of a cherished local figure whose simple mission was to spread happiness through ice cream sales.
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