The West London community has rallied in support of a grieving family after the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old college student in Feltham. Maliki Sharma was found with severe stab injuries on Victoria Road on the evening of Monday, January 12, and later died in hospital.
Community Support in the Face of Tragedy
A GoFundMe page set up to assist with funeral costs has seen an outpouring of generosity, raising more than £9,000. The tribute on the fundraiser paints a picture of a beloved young man, describing Maliki as a "bright, warm hearted, funny caring young man with the most beautiful soul" whose smile "could light up a room".
He was remembered as a devoted son, brother, and friend whose kindness left a lasting impression. The page poignantly noted that his mother, Rachel, had always tried to shield her children from a world she feared could be cruel—a fear that has now become a devastating reality.
Police Investigation and Court Proceedings
The police investigation into this knife crime in Feltham is ongoing. Two 16-year-old boys arrested on suspicion of murder and possession of an offensive weapon have been bailed pending further enquiries.
In a related development, Rhys Huskinson, 19, of Feltham, has been charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon. He is accused of assaulting another teenager during the incident that led to Maliki's death. Huskinson was due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 15.
Detectives are following several lines of inquiry, and residents have been informed to expect an increased police presence in the area in the coming days.
A Community in Mourning
The local area has been transformed into a site of sorrow and remembrance. Floral tributes, balloons, and heartfelt messages have been left near the crime scene on Feltham High Street, close to The Centre shopping plaza. Notes left by mourners read "Fly High. You're always in our thoughts" and "RIP. Taken from us much too young."
Prominent knife crime campaigner Pastor Lorraine Jones-Burrell, who began her work after her own son was killed in 2014, offered her condolences. "My heart aches for all those left behind," she said. "Knife crime is brutal, unforgiving and life-destroying."
She also thanked the police officers and emergency responders who attended what she described as an "extremely difficult and traumatic" scene. Forensic tents and police tape marked the location in the days following the tragedy, a stark visual reminder of the violent loss of a young life filled with potential.
