Shock and sadness have swept through the Moss Side community in Manchester after the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Mohanad Abdullaahi Goobe on Monton Street, just after 4:30pm on September 15, 2025. The incident, which police say is not believed to be gang-related, has prompted a swift and robust response from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), as well as heartfelt tributes from the victim’s family.
According to the Manchester Evening News, police were called to Monton Street following reports of a disturbance involving a number of people, many of them believed to be schoolchildren. When officers arrived, they found Mohanad with serious stab wounds. Despite the best efforts of paramedics at the scene and later in hospital, he was pronounced dead a short time afterward.
GMP immediately launched a murder investigation and arrested another 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder. The suspect remains in police custody for questioning, and no further arrests have been made. The victim’s family has been notified and is being supported by specially trained officers, as confirmed by Chief Superintendent David Meeney of GMP’s City of Manchester district.
In the aftermath of the attack, GMP activated a Section 60 order, granting officers enhanced stop and search powers in the Moss Side area until just after 5pm on September 16. This measure, authorized under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, was intended to reassure the community and assist in the ongoing investigation. Residents have also noticed an increased police presence in the area, with cordons and a blue evidence tent set up near the junction with Lloyd Street North, as forensic officers combed the scene for clues.
Chief Superintendent Meeney addressed the public’s concerns, stating, “There is a thorough investigation plan in place as we look to find the perpetrator of this appalling act that has seen a young man lose his life. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends after this tragic and upsetting incident, and our specially trained officers will be supporting them at this difficult time.” He added, “This incident will understandably have caused shock and concern within the community and the surrounding area, particularly those who witnessed it, so you will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. We remain committed to providing the victim’s family with the answers they deserve.”
Police and paramedics were initially called to the scene after reports of a disturbance involving multiple people. Investigators are currently scrutinizing a video that circulated on social media, believed to show the build-up to the incident. Detectives have urged the public not to share the footage, warning that it could have a significant impact on both “the victim’s family, and any future prosecution,” according to a GMP spokesperson quoted by BBC Manchester.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Davis emphasized the community impact of the event, saying, “We know just how shocking this incident has been for the whole community. Additional officers are in the area as part of our wider response and they will be able to assist with any queries you may have.” Officers remain stationed around Moss Lane East and Monton Street, and the investigation is described as “progressing at pace.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Mohanad’s family released a moving statement, determined that his memory would not be reduced to a statistic in the rise of knife crime. “Mohanad was the baby of the family, he was quick to laugh, easy to love, with a ready smile,” they said, as reported by BBC Manchester. “His life has been cut tragically short, it is difficult to comprehend that seeing your son head off for school in the morning would be the last time that we would see that handsome face.”
The family described Mohanad as someone with “an uncanny ability to make you laugh, making it sometimes difficult to be serious with him.” He was the youngest of three children, with an older sister and brother, and was known for his loyalty and his role as the “class clown,” always eager to see his friends laugh. “Mohanad deserves to be remembered for the young man who was loved by his family, and loved big in return, not as the boy whose life was taken with no thought or reason,” they added.
GMP detectives have stressed that while the investigation remains ongoing, they do not believe the incident was gang-related. Instead, one line of inquiry is that the stabbing was linked to a brawl involving a large group of schoolchildren. The circulating video of the clash is being closely analyzed as part of the investigation, but police have appealed to the public for restraint in sharing it online, both out of respect for the family and to safeguard the integrity of any future legal proceedings.
Community leaders and law enforcement alike have expressed concern over the shock and distress caused by the incident, particularly among those who witnessed it. Police have called on anyone with information, or who may have been in the area at the time, to come forward. They can contact GMP on 101 or online, quoting log 2327 of 15/09/25, or reach out to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
As the investigation continues, the Moss Side neighborhood remains under close watch, with police urging vigilance and cooperation. Officers are committed to piecing together the events that led to the tragedy, and to providing answers and support to Mohanad’s grieving family. The Section 60 order, while temporary, reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case and their determination to prevent further violence.
The killing of Mohanad Abdullaahi Goobe has reignited debate in Manchester and beyond about youth violence and the effectiveness of current measures to combat knife crime. While police insist this case is not linked to gang activity, the broader issue of safety for young people in urban areas remains a pressing concern for families, educators, and policymakers alike.
For now, the Moss Side community mourns the loss of a young life full of promise, as police work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice. As Mohanad’s family so poignantly put it, his memory deserves to be honored for the love and laughter he brought to those around him—not as another name on a tragic list.
