‘He had so much humanity’: Fundraiser launches for family of Sheffield man killed ‘inviting people to church’

More than £6,000 has been raised for soup kitchen volunteer Mohamed Issa Koroma who was killed while ‘handing out leaflets’
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A fundraising appeal has been launched to help the family of a man killed in Sheffield while handing out leaflets “inviting people to church.”

Mohamed Issa Koroma, known as Chris, was stabbed to death in broad daylight on Sheffield’s High Street on 17 September.

Mohamed Issa Koroma was stabbed to death on September 17, during daylight hours in Sheffield (image: GoFundMe)Mohamed Issa Koroma was stabbed to death on September 17, during daylight hours in Sheffield (image: GoFundMe)
Mohamed Issa Koroma was stabbed to death on September 17, during daylight hours in Sheffield (image: GoFundMe)
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Despite the efforts of passers-by, paramedics and police - 24-year-old Mohamed, of London Road, could not be saved.

James Patrick Lee, 31, of Doncaster Road, Rotherham, has been remanded in custody after being charged with murder.

A provisional trial date has now been set for next March, Sheffield Star reports.

Police were called at 4:30pm on 17 September after Mohamed Issa Koroma was stabbed in High Street, Sheffield (image: Sheffield Star)Police were called at 4:30pm on 17 September after Mohamed Issa Koroma was stabbed in High Street, Sheffield (image: Sheffield Star)
Police were called at 4:30pm on 17 September after Mohamed Issa Koroma was stabbed in High Street, Sheffield (image: Sheffield Star)

‘Shining light’

Mr Koroma, a food bank volunteer born in Sierra Leone, has been described since his death as a “shining light” and a “very happy soul” who “focused on making other people happy.”

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A friend said he “brightened up everyone else’s lives.”In a Facebook post, his friend Victoria Walker, said that Mohamed was “handing out leaflets inviting people to church” when he was killed.

She described the death as “a horrific and sad tragedy”.

“He did nothing but hand out leaflets and invite people to know God,” Victoria added.

‘We’re in deep shock’

Victoria added: “The family are still traumatised, distraught and in complete heartbreak.

“They have been barely able to comprehend the circumstances around his death and still trying make sense of it all.

“No parent deserves to lose a child in such circumstances.

A police cordon remained in place into the night, after the fatal stabbing took place (image: Sheffield Star)A police cordon remained in place into the night, after the fatal stabbing took place (image: Sheffield Star)
A police cordon remained in place into the night, after the fatal stabbing took place (image: Sheffield Star)

“As a community, we’re still in deep shock and sadness.

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“But we want to ensure we show solidarity, love and unity during this situation.”

Mohamed regularly helped the homeless at the local soup kitchen and helped the poor, sick, homeless and helpless.

His life should not be in vain

Victoria added: “He had so much humanity.

“His name, story and life should not go in vain.”

She said plans are being drawn up for a vigil to be held in his memory.

To help Mohamed’s family with funeral expenses, an online fundraising appeal has been launched on the Go Fund Me website.

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Detectives investigating the murder urged businesses in the city centre to check their CCTV cameras and motorist to look at their dashcams for any footage recorded around the time of the incident.

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