Stabbing victim Hashim Mohamed’s mother Ashir Osman’s heartbreaking tribute

The devastated mother of slain teen Hashim Mohamed says he was a popular, caring man and has never been a member of a gang.

The devastated mother of a teenager who was stabbed to death during an evening with friends on St Kilda foreshore has pleaded for urgent action to stop knife crime.

Hashim Mohamed spoke to his mother on the phone just half an hour before the brutal knife attack on Sunday evening, reassuring her that he’d be home soon.

But the 18-year-old – who hadn’t wanted to go to the beach but tagged along with childhood mates – never made it back to his Tarneit home.

Hashim’s distraught mother Ashir Osman last night told the Herald Sun: “I am in so much pain right now, I don’t understand why this happened. It is unfortunate because every couple of days a child dies for no reason.

Hashim Mohamad with his mum Ashir Osman, who has been left devastated. Picture: Supplied

“Knives should be restricted. Shops should be more vigilant about selling knives, especially to kids under the age of 18, they should not allow kids to buy knives.”

Police were still hunting five or six males over the ­brutal stabbing, which took place in front of hundreds of beachgoers.

Ms Osman said she wanted justice for her son, who ­aspired to study business.

“There should be consequences to kids who break the law,” she said.

“Authorities should take more action to punish, to show they are in power, not the kids.

“I want people who kill to get consequences. We want justice for our kids.”

Homicide Squad Detective acting Inspector Nigel L’Estrange said on Monday: “We believe the incident was the result of a fight between approximately five to six African males.”

Investigators have trawled through CCTV footage, which captured the group of males fleeing north along Jacka Boulevard about 8pm.

Hashim had passed his driving test just days before he was fatally stabbed. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun on Tuesday revealed Hashim had been unable to escape his attackers as he was still recovering from injuries sustained in a head-on collision, including a broken pelvis, which killed four of his friends in September 2021.

“This wasn’t a planned fight, he went to the beach with his friends,” Ms Osman said. “Hashim didn’t want to go but his friends encouraged him to go. The fight happened 10 minutes after they got there.”

Ms Osman said it had been heartbreaking to see television media coverage suggesting her son was in a gang.

“He was not in a gang,” she said.

“When people see a group of black African kids, they label it as a gang and it is not fair.

Hashim’s mum said he was was never violent and wasn’t in a gang. Picture: Supplied

“I am a mother, I would know if my son was in a gang. It is a big lie and it is emotionally damaging for families.

“My son Hashim never got physical with anyone, he was never violent. When people said he was in a gang, that stabbed my heart. They have no right.”

Her son was a popular young man who had a wide friendship circle, she said.

“He was a good brother and a good friend,” she said.

“People would recognise me and say: ‘That’s Hashim’s mother’ because he was so popular.

“Hashim was an IT genius and loved to rap and sing around the home.”

He was looking forward to his future, having obtained his driver’s licence just days before he was killed. He was also keen to study business next year.

Police try to help Hashim in the aftermath of the attack. Picture: 7News

Ms Osman said her youngest son broke the news that Hashim had been injured, prompting her to rush to the Alfred hospital where he had been taken.

The trauma brought back memories from 15 months ago when Hashim was a passenger in a car crash at Truganina, which left him critically ­injured and in a coma.

He had only just completed physical rehabilitation for those injuries.

“It was like deja vu,” Ms Osman said.

“The trip to the hospital took forever, my emotions were all over the place.”

This time, Hashim did not survive.

Now, the grieving mother faces the prospect of burying her son in the coming days.

“I don’t want this to happen to any other parent,” she said.

“It is too much pain.”

Under Victorian laws, it is illegal for person to possess, carry or use a controlled weapon – which includes knives – without a “lawful excuse”.

It is also illegal for a controlled weapon to be sold to a person under the age of 18 years.

Premier Daniel Andrews has offered his “deepest sympathies and condolences” to Hashim’s family, but stopped short of promising law reform or extra police presence in areas vulnerable to knife crime.

He said the “operational matters” were best left to police.

“We take all crime, particularly violent crime, very seriously,” Mr Andrews said.

“I haven’t received any requests from the Chief Commissioner or from police command for any additional powers or further resources.

“But rest assured, if the Chief Commissioner came forward and sought additional powers or sought any additional support from our government, and that support will be there.”