Fatal Stabbing on Decent & Generous Afghan Man (Basheer Zaheer) in Pyrmont Sydney
The most humble and decent man in the Afghan community found stabbed to death in the lobby of a Sydney building has been identified as a building manager.
“He was a normal guy,” he said. “He has a normal life … he lived here he worked here, everyone knew him.”
Samir described his relative as a kind man who would “help everybody” and a devout Muslim.
Bashir lost his father just two months ago, but wasn’t able to attend the funeral as it was in New York.
The building manager’s body was brought out of the apartment building, where he was found fatally stabbed early in the morning, about 3.30pm. His relatives gathered around the crime scene, some visibly devastated and others still reeling from the shock.
As his body was carried out, the family screamed his name and a woman was seen falling to the ground in tears.
Acting Superintendent Sean Heaney told reporters on Thursday several people witnessed the horrific stabbing in the lobby of the Bunn St complex.
“They’re distraught, as you can imagine. Very, very distraught,” he said.
“Same as the police and other emergency services that turned up not long after.”
Supt Heaney said witnesses reported the man was stabbed during an argument with another man wearing a blue suit who was “known” to him.
It is understood the man, described as being between 35 and 40 years old and of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, was wearing a security guard outfit.
Former brother-in-law AJ said Mr Zaheer, 44, was the “light of our community”.
“No one can say a bad word about him. You want perfect? He was the perfect man,” he said.
“He prayed five times a day, didn’t drink alcohol ... his two sisters relied on him. What a guy.”
AJ said the pair had grown up together, and Mr Zaheer had moved to Australia in his 20s.
When Mr Zaheer moved to Australia, he worked at the Pyrmont apartment block for $10 an hour.
AJ said he worked 20 hours a day and worked his way up to be a manager before starting a security company.
“Now, he owns six units just here … he owns 20, 30 across Sydney,” he said.
“He built this empire from nothing.”
Mr Zaheer’s distraught family said they did not know who was behind the brutal murder, but AJ said the killer would “get what’s coming to him”.
Police are looking for a white Holden Viva – registration plate AM23CQ – which the alleged attacker ran to before fleeing the scene behind the wheel.
“The person driving that car is the man we want to speak to,” Supt Heaney said.
“We don’t believe he’s armed but he has been involved in the death of this man, so we consider him very dangerous.”
He was not prepared to elaborate on the relationship between the two men.
Supt Heaney said members of the public should not approach the man or the car, but call triple-0 or Crime Stoppers if they spot the vehicle.
Police are still exploring CCTV footage from the scene and surrounding areas. Emergency services were called to the apartment complex in Bunn St about 8am.
The man’s body was found in the lobby.
NSW Ambulance confirmed to NCA NewsWire the man had suffered multiple stab wounds.
Witness Cameron Slaughter, who lives in the building, said he was returning from the gym about 8.15am when he was confronted by the chaotic scene.
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