Malcolm Mide-Madariola: Zombie knife victim's father welcomes ban

Malcolm Mide-Madariola was fatally stabbed with a knife resembling those seen in zombie films in 2018.

"£19.99. That was the price of the knife that took my son's life."

Dr. Olumide Wole-Madariola recalls clearly the type of weapon that was used to kill his 17-year-old son, Malcolm Mide-Madariola, back in November 2018.

It was a zombie knife featuring a jagged blade. This is a weapon that should never be wielded against another person.

Malcolm, who was studying for his A-levels, had just wrapped up his final day at school when he attempted to intervene and protect another young person outside the Clapham South Tube station, resulting in him being fatally stabbed in the heart.

Tammuz Brown, the 18-year-old who took Malcolm's life, received a 16-year sentence for murder and for having a knife during the trial at the Old Bailey.

Treynae Campbell, who provided Brown with the weapon, was sentenced to 28 months in a youth offender facility during a previous hearing after acknowledging possession of a knife.

The court noted that Brown had a prior conviction from August 2018 for having a zombie knife.

Prosecutors described Malcolm as an innocent victim who courageously tried to confront Brown, which ultimately cost him his life.

Malcolm was killed outside the Clapham South Tube station while attempting to protect another young person.

"He's a person who has made a lasting impact by advocating for others," Dr. Wole-Madariola shares with me.

"I think of him as my incredibly courageous son. He made the ultimate sacrifice."

He expresses that Malcolm's passing has created an emptiness that can't be replaced. Each family gathering or milestone, including the graduations of his other kids, serves as a poignant reminder of Malcolm's absence.

For many years, Dr. Wole-Madariola has been advocating for a prohibition on knives resembling those seen in zombie movies.

Even though these weapons were included in the government's banned list of offensive items back in 2016, a loophole allowed many of them to continue being sold and owned, as long as their handles didn't display violent imagery.

Starting Tuesday, new laws will fill that gap and will make it a criminal offense to own, create, transport, or sell "zombie-style" knives and machetes in England and Wales.

Dr. Olumide Wole-Madariola has been advocating for a prohibition on knives designed to resemble zombies.

Dr. Wole-Madariola acknowledges that the legislation has come a bit late, yet he feels there is still a lot of work to be done.

He fears that an illegal market could form, allowing criminals to continue selling firearms to young people through social media platforms. He emphasizes the importance of providing adequate resources for law enforcement to track down those accountable.

"As time passes, there will be a decrease in circulation. This is the effect the law is expected to have. Therefore, it's a positive step forward. However, it should be seen as a beginning rather than a conclusion."

Malcolm's family has adorned their home with images of him, expressing that his passing has created a significant "gap" in their lives.

According to information from the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police reported 14,961 incidents of knife-related crimes in the year leading up to March 2024, marking a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year.

While the rate of homicides involving knives or sharp objects has decreased since 2019, this year has already seen the tragic deaths of eight teenagers, including a 15-year-old boy in Woolwich last Sunday.

Data collected by the BBC through Freedom of Information requests indicates that police in England and Wales are increasingly noting the involvement of large knives in various crimes.

The instances of crimes involving machetes, swords, or zombie knives have nearly doubled over the past five years, although the Metropolitan Police did not provide data in response to the BBC's inquiry.

Zombie knife collection bins have been set up to motivate owners to turn them in.

"It's devastating and shocking," Dr. Wole-Madariola expresses.

"What has gone so wrong that a teenager feels the need to carry knives and roam the streets with them?"

He thinks it's important to do more to address the mindset that leads some young people to view carrying weapons as a way to boost their social status.

"This is where schools play a role, along with parents, religious organizations, and charitable groups."

He thinks that parents, especially, should be much more mindful of the dangers involved.

"How could your child take knives out of the house without you noticing? That just can’t happen."

He is advocating for harsher penalties for murderers, claiming that the legal system is being too lenient on offenders.

The government has committed to reducing knife crime by 50% in the next ten years. They also announced that the prohibition on zombie-like knives and machetes will be succeeded by a proposal to outlaw ninja swords as well.

Dr. Wole-Madariola expresses his optimism regarding the commitments that have been promised.

He offers to give us a tour of "Malcolm's space" and guides us into the conservatory. The family has decorated it with pictures, memorabilia, signed posters, and boxing gloves.

It's a space filled with memories, and he guides us through them one by one: Malcolm as a little boy, Malcolm in his Sunday best for church, and Malcolm at the airport when he was determined to say goodbye to his father before his journey.

"Whenever we want to think of Malcolm, we come to this place," he says with a smile.

"He was a remarkable young man, and I felt a deep sense of pride in him."

He wishes for no other family to endure the pain they have experienced.

"The memories we hold onto shape our lives moving forward."