Blackburn shooting: Five charged with Aya Hachem murder

  • Published
Aya HachemImage source, Family handout
Image caption,

Aya Hachem died from a gunshot wound to the chest

Five people have been charged with the murder of a law student in a drive-by shooting in Blackburn.

Aya Hachem, 19, died when shots were fired from a passing car on Sunday.

Feroz Suleman, 39, Abubakir Satia, 31, Uthman Satia, 28, Judy Chapman, 26, and Kashif Manzoor, 24, appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court, sitting at Sessions House Crown Court.

They have also been charged with the attempted murder of their intended target Pashar Khan, the court heard.

The five people were remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday.

A closure order was issued for Mr Suleman's business, RI Tyres, for up to three months following an application by Lancashire Police.

Ms Hachem's parents have paid tribute to her as the "most loyal devoted daughter" who "dreamed of becoming a solicitor".

"We are absolutely devastated by her death and would like to take this opportunity to plead with any members of the public who may have any information however small that may bring those responsible to justice," they said.

Image source, Family handout
Image caption,

Aya Hachem was a young trustee for the Children's Society

Mr Suleman, of Shear Brow in Blackburn, and Abubakir Satia, of Oxford Close in Blackburn, were the first people to be charged on Friday.

They appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court along with Uthman Satia, of Oxford Close in Blackburn, Judy Chapman, of St Hubert's Road in Great Harwood, and Kashif Manzoor, of Shakeshaft Street in Blackburn, who were charged later.

Two men, aged 33 and 36, from Blackburn, arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Four other people arrested as part of the inquiry have been released under investigation, while a 22-year-old man, from Blackburn, who was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, was released without charge.

A 39-year-old man from Blackburn, who was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a 34-year-old man from Blackburn arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remain in custody.

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