**‘Race killing’ devastates family
The family of an Asian student stabbed to death in a suspected racially-aggravated attack say his death has left them “devastated”.
Shezan Umarji was killed during a fight between 40 white and Asian youths in Preston on Saturday. Racial abuse was heard during the fight, police say.
In a statement, his family appealed for justice for the 20-year-old, who they described as “bright” and “loving”.
Eight people have been arrested - two of them on suspicion of murder.
The other six were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
Now all we really want is justice for Shezan and that is why we are appealing to everybody to stay calm for our sake and to help the police with their enquiries
Umarji family statement
The Umarji family has released a statement in which they described the bank worker and business student as “the life and soul of the party”.
“Shezan was a loving son who was bright, lively and intelligent. He loved life to the full and he was really enjoying studying for his business degree,” it reads.
“He loved the challenge of the work and his future held out such promise.”
The statement said Mr Umarji had been taken from the family “in the cruellest possible way”.
‘Happy memories’
“His death has devastated us and his brothers and sisters who all loved the brother who was always the life and soul of the party,” it said.
"We all have happy memories of him, of his kindness, his smile and his pleasing nature.
"He never caused us or, indeed, anybody else the slightest trouble. He just got on enjoying his life.
“Now all we really want is justice for Shezan and that is why we are appealing to everybody to stay calm for our sake and to help the police with their enquiries.”
Det Supt Graham Gardner, of Lancashire police, said: "We have to be alive to factions who know nothing about this incident trying to stir up trouble.
“At present, we have no information that people are planning reprisals and it has to be said that the Asian community are working very closely with the police and giving us their full support.”
Story from BBC NEWS:
**http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/engl...ire/5208866.stm](BBC NEWS | UK | England | Lancashire | 'Race killing' devastates family)