Three days after suffering a severe head injury during an argument over his dog at an east London park, half a mile from his home, a dad lost his life battle last Thursday morning.
Police were called to report a guy attacked in Plaistow Park, E13, at about 11:35 a.m.
Officers and London Ambulance Service showed up and the 61-year-old was taken to an East London hospital with a severe head injury in a critical condition.
Two men alleged to have been involved in the attack have been arrested pending investigation.
A man aged 29 was detained near the scene on suspicion of serious physical damage, and Mohammed Metowlli, 23, from Bemersyde Point, Dongola Road E13, was detained later that same day at an address in Plaistow.
Mohammed Metowlli of Plaistow, was charged with grievous bodily harm prior to Mr Kennedy death. He appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, June 28th. A second assailant, 29, who was also arrested, was released pending further investigation.
Detectives initiated an inquiry into the murder after Steven Kennedy died on Sunday June 30th, following the attack in Plaistow Park.
Asim Qadri, who owns the Shop Wise convenience store near the park’s entrance, said: “I heard there was an argument and someone pushed or punched him. I saw him being taken out and put in the ambulance.”
“He was alive then. He sat up as they were taking him to the ambulance. It’s shocking that he’s died,” Qadri said.
An employee at a nearby hairdressers, who did not want to be named, said: “I heard the guy had a dog and there was an argument. The police came in here and said a man had been punched, but that’s it. It’s scary, I take my kids to that park.” Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack.
Neighbor Sonny Somwaru described Mr Kennedy as a “devoted” Christian. He said: “I was too shocked to get the news. He was the only one that I could talk things over with.”
“He spent quite a while going back and forth, preaching over in Africa,” Somwaru said.
The 61-year-old was a member of Canning Town’s River Church and a director of the River Christian Centre, and is known to have traveled extensively to preach as a missionary in Africa and Eastern Europe.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
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