A 26-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of an ice cream seller who was stabbed to death in north-west London. Shazad Khan, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called to reports of an altercation in Monks Park, Wembley, at around 6.10pm on Tuesday.
Zaher Zaarour, 26, of no fixed address, confirmed his personal details when he appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on August 27 for a preliminary hearing, with a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled for September 19.
CCTV footage captured the moment Mr Khan was seen arguing intensely just seconds before he was stabbed. The video shows him dressed in a grey tracksuit with a black apron, standing outside the cab of his van speaking with another man.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Waller of the Metropolitan Police said: 'I would like to thank the community for their help and support during this investigation. Residents can expect to see an increase of officers in the local area over the next coming days as the investigation continues.'
Local residents described Mr Khan as a well-known figure who sold ice cream from a van in the area. Asim Mahmood Butt, 39, a childhood friend, said: 'I got a call from one of my cousins. This guy, we know him - he's a famous ice cream guy. He got stabbed yesterday. I came here and his body was still here.'
A 31-year-old woman arrested at the scene on suspicion of conspiracy to murder has been bailed pending further inquiries.
