Ayuub Abdi, 34, described as a “kind-hearted family man,” tragically died after falling from a third-floor window at his Handsworth home during a tense encounter with police, an inquest has heard.
On September 6, 2023, Mr. Abdi became aggressive towards two housemates in the five-bedroom property on Lansdowne Road, biting and attempting to stab them with a small kitchen knife. Witnesses stated that he appeared “not normal” and may have ingested or consumed an unknown substance prior to the incident.
During the struggle, Mr. Abdi reportedly declared, “I’m the prophet, I will kill you and I will kill the police,” while threatening one housemate’s neck with the knife, according to evidence given at Birmingham Coroner’s Court.
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The two victims, who had lived with Mr. Abdi for nine months and described him as occasionally friendly, fought to restrain him after the unprovoked attack. One witness recalled approaching the kitchen after smelling burning food to remind Mr. Abdi, who sometimes forgot about his cooking, only to be met with swearing and aggression.
“He slapped me, grabbed the knife, and started shouting inside the kitchen,” the witness said, adding he filmed the incident and contacted a friend upstairs for help.
Despite attempts to calm him down by both housemates, Mr. Abdi continued to resist. The struggle left both victims bitten and bruised as they grappled to disarm him. Police were called around 12:51 a.m.
When officers arrived, a Taser was deployed during discussions with Mr. Abdi in his bedroom. He then moved toward an open window, from which he subsequently fell, sustaining fatal injuries.
An independent police investigation concluded there would be no further action against the officers involved.
The inquest, which began November 17, will continue as the jury reviews the circumstances surrounding Mr. Abdi’s death.