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This article is about the shooting of of Aya Hachem, a young law student, who had "great aspirations to help other people". Hachem's family and ex-teachers remember her as clever, diligent, and kind, which has been reflected in the numerous fundraising campaigns created in her memory. It is not thought that the aspiring lawyer was the intended victim of the attack, Written by Elizabeth Bratton.
On Sunday, 19 year-old Aya Hachem was killed after being shot in the chest near a supermarket in Blackburn. The teenager was shopping at around 3PM, when she was hit by one of many shots fired from a passing car.
Hachem was described by her parents as a "most loyal devoted daughter", as Diane Atkinson, her former head teacher, remembered her as a "wonderful young lady who had so much to offer".
The "completely innocent" student was in her second year at Salford University, where she was studying law. She was born in Lebanon, and fled war in pursuit of a safer life, and was admired for her desire to help others, while working "incredibly hard to become the very, very best person she could be",
Lancashire Police have clarified that they do not believe that Hachem was the intended target of the attack. They also do not believe it to be terror related or racially motivated.
A Toyota Avensis, from which the bullets are believed to have been fired, was later found abandoned nearby; several people were reportedly travelling in the vehicle. It has since
been seized for forensic examination. Police are also aware of video footage of the shooting circulating the internet, and have asked citizens to report it to the authorities, rather than sharing it.
“We know a number of videos of the incident are on social media and it is important that, if people are aware of any footage, that they formally report this to us if they haven’t already done so as they are potential evidence." - Detective Superintendent Andy Cribbin
On Monday the 18th of May, three men aged 33, 36, and 39 were arrested on suspicion of murder; Lancashire police have since been provided with more time to question them. Two days later, three men aged 28, 31, and 25 were held on suspicion of murder, while two 19 and 26 year old women were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender. Since Hachem's death, nine arrests have now been made.
Social media users have expressed their heartbreak at the travesty, with many setting up or contributing to fundraising campaigns. Thus far, over £35,000 has been donated to founding a mosque in the student's memory. Meanwhile, charity Global One aims to remember Hachem through the construction of wells for women in water-deprived areas. However, some donors have announced plans to withdraw their funds, due to sectoral differences within religion.
After creating a fundraising page of his own, @humbleakh1 expressed doubts about the campaign, tweeting "I didn't know she was Shia", followed by "Can someone help me on what to do [because] there is no way I wanna be in a situation [where] all this could go against me on the day of judgement". He has since apologised for his posts, stating that Hachem's parents do not wish to receive funds directly from him, but have given permission for funds to be diverted to Muslim Hands UK, who will build a well in the victim's name.
"Anybody with information should contact 101, quoting log number 0412 of May 18, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
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