Priest at funeral for Bossley Park stabbing victim Alfredo Isho pleas with mourners not to seek revenge
A priest made an impassioned plea to mourners at the funeral of stabbing victim Alfredo Isho, saying “We are human, but we believe in Jesus Christ, so we don’t take revenge.” Mr Isho was fatally stabbed last week as he waited for a haircut in Bossley Park.
THERE was a heavy police presence at the funeral for a man stabbed to death at a hairdressing salon as mourners were yesterday urged not to seek revenge.
Alfredo Isho was farewelled in a traditional Assyrian service at St Thomas Assyrian Catholic Church attended by hundreds of friends and family still shocked by the 20-year-old’s violent death a few streets away.
Isho was killed sitting in a barber’s chair at a Bossley Park salon on January 11.
An 18-year-old, Fredon Laith Botrus, was arrested after when police raided his house and found he had attempted to disguise and dismantle his getaway motorcycle.
He was charged with murder and denied bail.
Yesterday 22-year-old Odisho Roel and a 17-year-old were charged with accessory after the fact to murder, and remain before the courts.
This morning 18-year-old Daniel Bona was charged with accessory before the fact to murder. All four will remain behind bars until their court dates.
At the funeral, about 10 police patrol cars, a public order and riot squad car, undercover police cars and SUVs surveilled the area.
One police car stationed itself at a roundabout at the entrance to the street with an officer in the back seat appearing to take photos of cars as they drove past.
An officer said the high number of police was simply for traffic control, before saying they were making sure their presence was known.
Hundreds turned out to the funeral of Mr Isho, with residents saying it was the biggest funeral they had ever seen at the church.
Many wore white at Alfredo’s mother’s request, and personalised shirts were given out with his smiling face on the front and a poem on the back.
“A son to two, a beloved nephew, a brother to many, who left hearts blue.
“Missing you more and more each day, to see you on the other side we pray.”
Mourners packed the pews, with many standing around the sides of the church and spilling out to the entrance.
A procession of priests led the traditional Assyrian funeral, with most of the service carried out in the local language.
In the one part of the service spoken in English, an impassioned priest implored his congregation not to seek revenge.
“No one can accept this. It is a criminal act.
“Justice will go its process and we will wait for that.
“We are human, but we believe in Jesus Christ, so we don’t take revenge.
“No, it is not allowed. It is not accepted.
“Jesus does not allow revenge.”
Police and the riot squad continued to patrol the street throughout the service.
One parked in the driveway of a house across the street from the church.
As the service ended, the procession carried Alfredo in his coffin to the waiting black hearse.
Family played instruments and sang as they carried him down the aisle, down the steps and into the back of the car.
Attendees swarmed to surround the car as it left, many saying goodbye for the last time.
Grieving women doubled over in agony and teary men consoled each other with a hug or a touch of the hand.
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