Tributes Paid To Shooting Victims

31 May 2011, 08:51 | Updated: 31 May 2011, 12:00

The families of the two teenagers shot dead in an alleyway have paid tribute to them. Read what they've said.

Mohammed Abdi Farah, 19, and Amin Ahmed Ismail, 18, were gunned down in an alleyway on the Fishermead estate in Milton Keynes shortly after 10pm on Thursday 26 May 2011.

The Somalis, who police said were known to them over low-level criminal activity, were last seen in the vicinity of X-Trim barber shop in Gurnards Avenue at about 9.50pm.

A thirteen year old boy was arrested over the deaths, along with two men - aged 33 and 21 - from the Bletchley area of Milton Keynes.  All three have been released on bail.

Mr Ismail's family issued a statement saying he came to England as a 10-year-old from Somalia.

"He was the only boy in the family and grew up with his four sisters who he loved very much,'' the family said.

"He also leaves behind a stepbrother and one stepsister.

"Amin was educated at Southall College and Henley College in Coventry. He enjoyed studying maths and science which were the subjects he was particularly good at.

"Amin was good at education and wanted to achieve a degree and a master's so that he could help look after his mum and sisters.

"Amin had a good personality and was very very kind. Being the only brother he always looked after his sisters and used to tell us he would look after the whole family. He will be missed very much.

"We will bury Amin in east London as soon as his body is able to be released."

Mr Farah's family said he had only been in the country for four weeks.

"We, Mohammed's family, are deeply saddened and shocked at what can only be described as the tragic and senseless death of our son, brother, nephew and grandson.

"We cannot put into words the pain we are feeling, only to say that he did not deserve to die in this way, Mohammed will always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten.''

They described him as a "very likeable, sociable, and friendly individual, who was looking to continue his studies and go to university, but sadly that bright future that he was looking forward to has been cut short by a senseless killer.''

The family hit back at "rumours'' written about him.

"We don't deserve to be disrespected in this way. We are grieving for the loss of our loved one,'' they said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those same men and women who continue to search for his killer or killers. We are also very thankful to everyone else who has made or is making an effort to find the killer or killers.

"We only ask that if anyone has any information that can help bring his killer to justice that they call either the police or Crimestoppers."

Watch a video report on the shootings