Watch: Smirking killer buys knife before 150-mile journey to murder man
A smirking killer who was captured on CCTV buying a knife in a corner shop before chasing down and stabbing a man to death in the street has been jailed for life.
Sulaiman Tajzai, 18, brutally murdered Farmanullah Sherzad, 26, after travelling over 150 miles from Leeds to London to attack him over a personal grudge.
CCTV captured the teenage asylum seeker smiling as he bought a knife from a corner shop in Leeds before travelling to the capital where he lay in wait outside the victim's address in Westminster.
When shop worker Mr Sherzad arrived home from work at approximately 10:15pm on March 27, Tajzai chased him onto Abbey Orchard Street and stabbed him to death.
A member of the public found Mr Sherzad unconscious and called the police, but he was pronounced dead around 20 minutes later despite the efforts of medics.
Tajzai fled the scene and caught a train back to Leeds from King’s Cross station just after 6am the following day.
He was arrested at his cousin’s house in Leeds on March 29 where police officers found a pair of blood-stained trainers.
Tajzai had also dropped a pair of black gloves near St James' Park. Following forensic examination, Farmanullah's blood was found on the gloves, while DNA recovered from inside them was linked to Tajzai.
Tajzai, of Leeds, admitted murder and possession of a bladed article and was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 25 years at the Old Bailey today (Fri).
The court was told the animosity against Mr Sherzad was said to have dated back to the autumn of 2025.
There had been a “pre-existing connection” between the defendant’s cousin’s wife and Mr Sherzad which had “turned sour”.
Police had previously attended the couple's home where they found Sherzad tied up on the floor and arrested him on suspicion of stalking and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
However, he went on to claim to be in a relationship with the wife, saying he had come to Leeds to visit after she had invited him on social media platform Snapchat.
A court heard Tajzai had travelled to London in the weeks before the attack to scope out Mr Sherzad’s home address and where he worked.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met Police, said: "Our thoughts remain with Farmanullah's family and loved ones, who continue to face the unimaginable consequences of his death.
"While nothing can ever undo their pain and suffering, we hope this outcome provides them with some measure of justice.
“My team worked meticulously to piece together crucial CCTV, and forensic evidence to build a compelling case, and today's sentence reflects the seriousness of this violent and senseless attack, which resulted in the tragic loss of a young man's life.
“The Met will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the most violent offenders are apprehended and put before the courts.”
In a statement, the victim’s family said: “We as a family are utterly devastated and heartbroken by the sudden and horrific murder of Farmanullah.
"His life was taken from him in the most cruel and senseless circumstances, leaving a void that can never be filled.
“Farmanullah was a kind, gentle and free-spirited man. He was someone who would not hurt a fly.
"He lived his life peacefully, treated others with respect and sought only to live in harmony with those around him.
"It is almost impossible for us to comprehend that someone so harmless and kind has been taken from us in such a violent and tragic way.
“We are deeply shocked and angered by the circumstances surrounding his death.
"If, as we understand, this was a calculated, heinous and premeditated act, then the enormity of what has happened cannot be overstated.
"A human life has been deliberately taken, and a family has been left to live with unimaginable grief and loss.
“No family should ever have to endure the pain that we are experiencing. No innocent life should be taken in such circumstances.
"We sincerely hope that the authorities and the justice system will do everything within their power to ensure that those who pose a danger to others are appropriately dealt with, rehabilitated where possible, and prevented from causing further devastation to other innocent families.
“Farmanullah deserved to live his life. He deserved to grow old surrounded by his family and loved ones.
"Instead, we are left mourning a life that was cruelly and prematurely taken from us.
“We will never forget him, and we will never stop grieving for him.”