Man, 25, dies after Shaftesbury Avenue 'car attack' on Christmas Day
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One of the four people injured in an ‘attack’ in the West End on Christmas Day has died. Aidan Chapman, 25, was one of four pedestrians hit on Shaftesbury Avenue in the early hours of December 25 when a car mounted the pavement. He passed away from his injuries on New Year’s Eve, police confirmed on Thursday.
Mr Chapman’s parents said in a statement that his family are “devastated.”. “The loss of our beautiful son is a parent’s worst nightmare, we are utterly devastated with the loss of Aidan, he enriched everyone’s lives,” they said. “He was a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him. We, his parents, have lost the best part of ourselves.”.
Mr Chapman was among several people that were stuck by a vehicle on Christmas Day close to the Sondheim Theatre in the heart of London’s West End. Anthony Gilheaney, 30, was initially charged with four counts of attempted murder after ploughing into pedestrians in the early hours of Christmas Day.
He was reportedly arrested minutes after the “violent attack,” according to a police spokesperson. The other injured victims were identified as Tyrone Itorho, Marcelo Basbus-Garcia, and Miguel Wairich. Met Police have since confirmed that Mr Chapman’s death is being treated as a homicide.
Officers offered their condolences to Mr Chapman’s family following news of his tragic death, and appealed to the public to come forward if they have dash cam footage from the area at the time. They also confirmed that the incident wasn’t terror related.
