VIDEO: Family of Sheffield man shot dead say 'We are all grieving'

The family of a young man with a 'heart of gold' shot dead in broad day light on a Sheffield street have told of their grief over the tragedy.
Floral tributes.Floral tributes.
Floral tributes.

Assel Al-Essaie, aged 23, was shot in the chest in Daniel Hill, Upperthorpe, on Saturday afternoon where he is believed to have been attending a family celebration held for his twin sister's engagement.

A relative at the home where the gathering was thought to have taken place said this morning: "We are all grieving. Our family are Muslims so we will have a three day grieving period.

Floral tributes.Floral tributes.
Floral tributes.

"We don't want to talk anymore at this stage."

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It is understood Mr Al-Essaie was in or near a black Mercedes car when he was shot at 1.35pm. He was rushed to the Northern General Hospital but later died. A post mortem confirmed he died of a gunshot wound.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and is in police custody this morning.

A number of floral tributes have been left at two locations close to the scene.

Floral tributes at the scene.Floral tributes at the scene.
Floral tributes at the scene.

One said: "RIP to our angel Assel. Gone way too soon. We all love you so much. May you rest peacefully. Forever in our hearts, living on in our memories - a heart of pure gold."

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Bystanders described how he had been attending a family celebration. One man said he was his cousin and paid tribute: "He was a good guy. He was very friendly and very generous. He would help anybody. We can’t believe what has happened."

Other residents told of their shock today.

University of Sheffield students Amy Munro and Megan Danks, both aged 22, said the area was generally 'nice and quiet'.

The scene of the shooting.The scene of the shooting.
The scene of the shooting.

Amy added: "We didn't hear any loud bangs or anything, but we saw the police cordon. It is quite shocking to think it happened just around the corner from us."

Megan said: "I have never known of any crime in this area. It is a tragedy."

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A 36-year-old Walkley man, who did not want to be named, said: "We have only just moved to the area so it is quite alarming. You never expect things like this to happen close to where you live."

Another man, who has lived in Upperthorpe for 50 years, said: "I saw the ambulance and police go rushing up the road, there was quite a scene. The family are quiet and generally keep themselves to themselves. It must be awful for them, it's so tragic."

Assel Al-Essaie.Assel Al-Essaie.
Assel Al-Essaie.

This latest incident happened just five days after a 25-year-old man was shot in the chest in Shiregreen on Monday, February 13.

And earlier this month shots were fired through the window of a house in Southey Green, narrowly missing a pensioner, in what police said was a case of mistaken identity.That shooting is believed by police to have been linked to a similar incident in High Green, Sheffield, on January 26.

Anyone with information about the latest shooting is asked to contact police on 101.