Yesterday, Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor of Bristol, and I met with Irene Muthemba, the mother of Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia, also known as EK, the young man from St Pauls who was killed in Bristol last weekend.

We were honoured to host Irene, as well as Eddie’s aunts, uncles, cousins, and other members of his family, at City Hall. It was a powerful meeting – but it is one which I wish was never needed, for an incident which should never have happened, with a family and community that should never have had to suffer such a loss.  

It was deeply moving to hear of the impact of Eddie’s murder on the family and to see how they have come together. We have pledged to support those affected however we can, both personally and working with organisations across Bristol as One City.  

Asher and I were both struck by the extraordinary graciousness of his family, in what must surely be the darkest time of their lives. That they were so focused on action and the needs of others, at a time of such unimaginable personal grief, is testament to the people of faith they are and, I’m sure, to the son that they raised. It is this spirit which saw them speak with such care about the wellbeing of Eddie’s friends: young people in our city, many of whom are traumatised by his murder and struggling to grieve this loss. 

Irene, Eddie’s mum, a Healthcare Assistant, also spoke of wanting to work to prevent the potential retaliation. She wants to stop that happening. She wants the fighting and killing to stop. She told us the family of the perpetrator will also lose a child, who has to carry the weight of killing someone and will end up in prison.  

Of course, Irene, and the whole family, want justice. I think I speak for the whole city in saying that we all do. Eddie deserves nothing less.  

We therefore again encourage anyone with any information to come forward. We know that sometimes people can be afraid, and so have sought – and can share – reassurance from the police that information provided to Crimestoppers is anonymous and that people otherwise coming forward will be kept safe.  

If you have any information which could help the investigation, please call 101, giving the reference 5223175298, or upload footage and information directly onto the Major Incident Public Portal. The independent charity Crimestoppers is also taking information 100 per cent anonymously. Whether you call 0800 555 111 or use their anonymous online reporting form, you’re never asked your name and you cannot be traced.  

Many people around Bristol will want to support Eddie’s family at this time. The family have started a Go Fund Me to help cover the costs of a funeral which they never anticipated, and which no parent should ever have to arrange. At this most difficult time, the family have asked that the media respect their privacy.  

Eddie was a talented young man. He was a member of the E5 Church on Jamaica Street. His whole life was ahead of him.  

That the fullness of Eddie’s promise will go unfulfilled is a deep tragedy for a Bristol family – and thus, for our whole city.