Aspiring lawyer’s fatal stabbing was ‘unprovoked attack’, police say

Sven Badzak was waiting outside a bagel shop with a friend when he was attacked

Sven Badzak, 22, was chased and stabbed by a group in Kilburn, northwest London (Metropolitan Police)

Police say they believe a 22-year-old man who was stabbed to death during a walk to buy a bagel was the victim of an “unprovoked attack” carried out by a group of six young men.

Sven Badzak died after being attacked while he was waiting outside a bagel shop in Kilburn, north-west London, with a 16-year-old friend on Saturday.

As the attack unfolded, Badzak was separated from his friend and fell to the ground before being stabbed repeatedly, police say.

His friend also suffered multiple stab injuries but managed to escape into a shop in Willesden Lane. He is in stable condition and recovering in hospital.

Badzak had been working for his father’s construction company and had hopes of doing a law conversion course.

His mother, Jasna Badzak, a former Conservative Party activist, has said he had a degree in sociology but envisioned a future as a lawyer, according to PA.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who Badzak had met when he was younger due to his mother’s campaigning work, has said “absolutely everything” is being done to address violent crime in the UK after Ms Badzak called on the PM to help her family seek justice in the case.

So far, a 19-year-old man and 17-year-old boy have been arrested in connection to the deadly stabbing. Both were recently released on bail.

Detectives do not believe either Badzak or his friend knew their attackers and there is no information at this point to suggest the attack was a robbery.

Speaking about the incident in a press conference on Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Wrigley said he was certain the deadly assault was “unprovoked”.

“It happened very, very quickly and Sven and his young friend were attacked for no reason that we know of at this time,” he said, according to PA.

The detective chief inspector said he believed the group of young men “moved together” and left the area “in a group together as well”.

“We are still conducting our inquiries to confirm the identity of all of those who took part,” he said.

The group has been described as “a mixture of white males and black males”.

Police have issued a fresh appeal for any witnesses to come forward.

“We know there were a lot of people out on foot who may have witnessed this on the evening of the offence, but also people were passing in vehicles,” Mr Wrigley said. “I’m seeking information from those people and would ask them to come forward.”

Witnesses to the attack are being asked to call 101 or contact Crimestoppers.