Father's vow to commit knife murder after killing his son, an air force cadet

The father of a teenager who was stabbed to death a year ago said he will never stop fighting knife crime.

Nathaniel Shani, 14, was murdered in Harpurhey, Manchester, on September 15, 2023 by two boys armed with a knife and a screwdriver.

The defenseless Nathaniel had ironed his flight cadet uniform and polished his boots before he went out and was fatally wounded.

His father Frank, 50, said children must know “no matter what the situation,” “that it is wrong to carry a knife.”

On the anniversary of his son's death, Nathaniel's father said he would never get over the loss.

He said: “We all hoped that he would one day become a citizen of this country who could do something for this country.”

“Those were our hopes, all gone in five seconds.

“I am broken and have scars that cannot be seen.

“It changes my life. Wherever I go, it accompanies me.”

Mr Shani said he wanted to convey the message to children that carrying a knife was never acceptable.

“I will not give up. I don't know how, but I will not give up because of him,” Mr Shani said.

Two boys aged 14 and 15, who cannot be named for reasons of age, were convicted of Nathaniel's murder at Manchester Crown Court in April.

In June, they were sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 10 years after the court found that the 14-year-old had incited the 15-year-old to stab Nathaniel, who died from a knife wound to the neck.

The boy who inflicted the fatal wound claimed he acted in self-defense.

Nathaniel can be seen on a mural at the Harpurhey Community Project, near where he was killed.

“It is a joy for us to see that the children still remember [him],” said Mr. Shani.

“We just want the community to stick together. Consider your neighbor as a friend and not as an opponent or enemy who wants to take your life.

A memorial bench was erected in the park where Nathaniel played.

Mr Shani added: “When he passed away due to the incident, the community felt it was appropriate to honour him by setting up this chair so that we could come together and reflect on his life.”

“It was a great honor for us as a family.”

Mr Shani added: “Children need to know that it is wrong to carry a knife.

“No matter what situation they are in, no matter what disagreements they have with their friends, carrying a small weapon [is not the way] to clarify the matter.

“As I always told Nathaniel, if it's wrong, it will never be right.”

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