A Mother's Grief and a Son's Heroism
When Segen Ghebrekidan returned home at midday on August 15, 2019, a 17-year-old lad from her neighbourhood gave her a hug, leaving her with an unsettling feeling. This teenager had often shared Sunday roasts with her family and played PlayStation with her 18-year-old son, Solomon. Segen, 41, recalls, "I had a strange feeling something wasn’t right." Her intuition proved tragically accurate, as less than two hours later, her life was irrevocably shattered.
A Day of Hope Turned to Tragedy
Earlier that day, Segen had felt optimistic after completing registration for a four-year health and social care course, aiming to build a brighter future for herself, Solomon, and his three-year-old sister, Angel. She says, "I had an interview that day and everything seemed positive." However, she never began that course. At around 1:30 PM, Solomon was walking through Brixton in south-west London with a female friend when they encountered the same teenager near a kebab shop.
After exchanging a fistbump, Solomon and his friend turned into another street, only to realise the youth was following them. A confrontation ensued, escalating into violence. Protective of his friend, Solomon tried to shield her, pulling the lad away. During the struggle, the 17-year-old pulled out a knife and stabbed Solomon repeatedly—six times in the chest, neck, and arms. Three horrified witnesses watched as Solomon collapsed onto the pavement, and a friend raced to fetch his mother.
Remembering Solomon: A Life of Kindness and Community
Segen doted on Solomon, who was born on June 26, 2001, at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, a few years after she moved to Britain from Eritrea. Sociable and caring, he made friends easily. Segen says, "He lit up any room he walked into. People just loved him." A devoted Manchester United fan, Solomon enjoyed playing football and spending time with friends on their estate. He studied painting and decorating at Lambeth College, aspiring to a career in the trade.
Raised as a Rastafarian, following his father's beliefs in Ethiopia, Solomon was active in the Ethiopian World Federation and regularly volunteered at his church. Segen adds, "He played the drums during gatherings, helped prepare food and drinks, and was always volunteering. He did charity work and was very well known in the community. He was respectful, kind, always smiling, and he adored his little sister."
The Aftermath and a Mother's Campaign
As Segen raced to Solomon's side, paramedics and police fought to save him, but his injuries were too severe. He died at the scene after 45 minutes of emergency treatment. Segen whispers, "My world stopped. Half of my heart went with my son that day." The killer fled but was tracked through CCTV and DNA evidence from burnt clothing. Five days later, he handed himself in to police, accompanied by his mother. During interviews, he repeatedly answered "no comment."
The girl Solomon protected, now under witness protection, testified in court. In March 2020, a jury at Woolwich Crown Court found the teenager guilty of murder. His identity was protected due to his age, and he was sentenced to detention at Her Majesty’s Pleasure, with a minimum of 14 years before parole eligibility. Angela Moriarty from the Crown Prosecution Service stated, "Solomon was the victim of a violent and unprovoked attack." Segen says, "My son died a hero. He stepped between the blade and the girl walking beside him, shielding her as violence erupted. 'Run,' he told her. She escaped. Solomon did not."
Combating Misinformation and Knife Crime
Since Solomon's death, Segen has refuted rumours linking him to gangland culture, asserting, "That simply wasn’t true." To her horror, his grave has been vandalised repeatedly, and threatening videos mocking his death appeared online. She says, "It was incredibly disrespectful." In fact, Segen was so concerned about knife crime that she regularly searched Solomon's room and pockets, leading him to joke and call her "the police officer."
Nine days after the murder, Segen organised a memorial gathering at Brixton Town Hall, attended by 500 people. Galvanised by grief, she has dedicated herself to fighting knife crime. According to government statistics for the year ending March 2025, there were over 50,000 police-recorded knife offences in England and Wales, including 205 murders.
Through community fundraising events and selling donated items, Segen has raised thousands of pounds, funding bleeding control kits installed in local shops and chip shops to aid victims. She says, "I even carry one myself now. I show people how to use them. If it saves just one life, then something good has come out of this tragedy." She organises marches under the banner 'Brixton Says No to Knife Crime' and protests outside Scotland Yard.
At the Baytree Centre in Brixton, Segen runs weekly workshops for women and girls affected by knife crime, offering exercise, baking classes, and discussions on grief and trauma. She says, "It’s a safe space where women can talk about what they’ve been through. Before this, nothing like it existed." She believes education is key, as police cannot stamp out knife crime alone, emphasising, "Parents and communities need to be involved."
A Legacy of Bravery
Meanwhile, Segen says her home with Angel, now nine, feels empty without Solomon. She concludes, "He was brave. He thought about someone else before himself. My son was a hero. He was not just another victim of knife crime. And I will spend the rest of my life making sure people remember that."
