Fresh appeal six years after murder of Harun Jama, aged 16

At approximately 7.45pm on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, Harun Jama was stabbed to death after an altercation on a towpath close to the blue and white footbridge in Friars Wharf.

He was found by police and ambulance crews bleeding heavily and, tragically, later died in hospital.

Despite a number of arrests, including a man who was released without charge in November 2019, nobody has been prosecuted for his murder.

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In 2021, Oxford coroners court heard Harun, from Birmingham, had started to travel to Oxford to deal drugs in 2017.

He was caught with Class A drugs by police in Oxford in December 2017 and arrested.

To repay the debt to his dealer for losing the drugs, he was sent back to the city three or four times a week.

The court heard he may have fired a gun before he was killed but no weapon has ever been found.

Detectives remain convinced someone holds vital information that could help find his killer.

Today, officers will be in the area of Friars Wharf once again appealing for witnesses and talking to members of the public in the area.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Andy Howard said: “Today marks six years to the day that Harun needlessly died in this horrific and brutal attack.

“Despite an extensive investigation, we have, as yet, been unable to prosecute anybody for his killing.

“A key line of enquiry throughout our investigation has been the information from a number of witnesses who were present in Friars Wharf shortly before and after Harun was attacked.

“Since the outset, we have identified and spoken to a large number of people who were in the area that night, and it is clear to the investigation that there are people who witnessed the attack on Harun, or hold significant information about what happened that night.

“Whilst we have spoken to a large number of these people, we firmly believe that there are still others who were present who we have yet to identify and speak to.

“There may be many reasons why these people have not yet come forward, but I would again ask and encourage these people to please do so and tell the investigation team what they know.

“I also firmly believe that some individuals we have already spoken to may hold more information than what they have so far divulged to us.

“I do appreciate why people may be reluctant to speak to police and provide information, but I want to reassure them that the information they provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence and we will discuss and address any concerns they may have so that appropriate support measures can be put in place."

Det Supt Howard added: “Harun’s family have had to endure six long years without their beloved son and brother, and I cannot begin to imagine what they have been going through knowing that no one has yet been brought to account for his murder.

“I am therefore appealing to the local community in Oxford as well as friends and associates of Harun to look into their conscience and tell us what they know.

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“I say again, Harun was just 16 years old when he was murdered. He was a child, who was brutally stabbed to death for no apparent reason.

“I remain convinced that people in the local community know who was responsible for this terrible crime, or will have crucial information that will enable us to bring them to justice.

“Harun’s family deserve the right to be able to face the future knowing that the person who took their son away from them has been held to account for their callous actions.

“We are urging anybody with any information, no matter how significant or otherwise you think it may be, to please contact Thames Valley Police."

Anyone with information can make a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43180002807.

For 100% anonymity, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.