Man killed in fight at traffic lights ‘lived life happy and free and cannot be replaced’ | UK News

Tributes have been paid to a man who was killed after a fight broke out in a ‘road rage row’ at traffic lights in Manchester.

Police today said Sadiq Al-lami, 30, died after he was assaulted in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, at around 1.40am yesterday.

Sadiq- who was known around Manchester by his nickname ‘Pitbull’ – because friends said he looked like the rapper – was just days away from his 31st birthday, when he is said to have got into a ‘petty row’ with another driver, a friend claimed.

The 30-year-old worked at the TikTok famous Manchester chicken shop Miami Crispy and was also said to have worked in private security.

He was described by friends as ‘happy and carefree’ and was the ‘life and soul of the party.’

His family today said: ‘Sadiq’s warmth and love touched the hearts of everyone that he met. His love and laughter were contagious, and he was always full of life.

‘Sadiq will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten.’

His family from Iraq – where Sadiq lived before moving to England as a child – have called on police to ‘take the most severe punishment for whoever did this,’

Mustafa Al Failey, a cousin of Sadiq’s who lives in Baghdad told Metro.co.uk: ‘I hope that the British state authorities take the most severe punishment for whoever did this.

‘May God suffice us, and He is the best disposer of affairs over them.

He added: ‘My cousin Sadiq was a lovely man, he was loved by everyone.’

Friends are set to gather to pay tribute to Sadiq over the weekend on what would have been his 31st birthday.

The party-loving security guard was described as a ‘loving, happy, person’ who ‘wouldn’t hurt anybody.’

His friend, Kay Henny told Metro: ‘If someone messaged me and asked me ‘who lived their life happy and free ‘I would honestly put Sadiq’s name at the top of the list.

‘He was the happiest man I have ever known. Regardless of what life threw at him, he would always have a big cheeky smile on his face ready to take on any challenge.

‘His laughter, his energy, and his whole personality could never be replaced.

‘He cared for the people around him a lot to the point he would go to extreme lengths to make sure everyone was happy.

‘You could never be in Sadiq’s presence with a frown on your face because he would be right next to you saying ‘come on man’ and giggle.

‘If you had nothing Sadiq would make sure you had everything. He would never watch anyone struggle. 10 years of friendship and a lifetime of memories that could never be replaced.’

Fawad Ahmed, 32 had known Sadiq since school and told Metro.co.uk: ‘He was a good lad, he would go out of his way to help anyone.

‘For someone to lose their life over something petty it is crazy.

‘The family are devastated. He was very well known; everyone knew him and he was the nicest guy.

‘He had a good sense of humour, he was a lively personality, and he was outgoing, he was bubbly, lively and friendly, he was just a good guy.’

He added: ‘I just heard that it was a road rage incident and he was attacked by someone after they got into an argument over the cars.

‘This kid just jumped out of the car, it’s bad, it was a neck wound.

‘It’s crazy, we all grew up on the streets, these kids just think they are waving a big knife, you’ve taken someone’s life and ruined someone else’.

‘You can’t kill someone over a road rage incident, I can’t believe it.

‘The way it has happened it is just so hard to accept that he’s just gone like that over something petty.

‘Because it’s so random, he’s gone like that, no one was expecting it.’

Another friend, Denika Brooks said: ‘There was a lot of people that loved him. He always had a spot in Lola’s in Deansgate, they would keep his table ready as they always knew he was coming.

She added: ‘I just want you to know pb (pitbull) that you will never be forgotten, you were the life of the party.

‘The one we used to no our night was going to be good if we were out with you, our mood could be down but your energy would send us to the top of the world, you were generous and made sure everyone was good before yourself.

‘You were a kind-hearted man with a lot of love from both ways, you will never be forgotten.’

Chanel Paris said: ‘I am still in shock but there’s one thing I can say about Sadiq is he was such a caring loving happy smiley person always helping others caring for others making others laugh he was the life of a party.’

She added: ‘He’s like a big brother to me always looked out for me always checking up on me.’

Another friend, Nic Louise, posted online and said: ‘Pitbull man!! Rip I just can’t believe what I’ve heard today. The world is just so cruel.

‘You were the bounciest happiest man to ever walk the earth! Them loudest laughs. You’d laugh at everything’

‘We love you forever pb. This just ain’t right rest in peace. Only the good die young.’

Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson said yesterday he believed the incident was isolated and called for witnesses to come forward.

Specially trained officers are continuing to support Sadiq’s family who have requested further privacy whilst they grieve for this loss.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.

Enquiries are ongoing into this incident and anyone with information, or who believes they may have CCTV or dashcam footage, which could assist detectives is asked to come forward by calling 101 and quoting log 166 of 23/01/2024.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be dialled anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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