Chilling Video Shows Man Fatally Stabbed While Protecting Son From Gang Machete Attack

Footage released by police captured a harrowing incident that unfolded at a local KFC drive-thru, where a 50-year-old father, Kelvin Ward, made the ultimate sacrifice as he valiantly shielded his son from a gang armed with machetes and "zombie knives."

Ward was fatally stabbed while attempting to protect his teenage child, who managed to escape on foot and was helped by a bike rider. Police investigations revealed that Mr. Ward's son was a friend to some members of the gang of four but fell out due to unnamed reasons.

The gruesome incident occurred at a local KFC drive-thru on April 18, 2023, as Ward and his son were chased down by a gang of four after constantly hitting their Vaxuhall Corsa car, bringing it to an abrupt stop.

The masked gang members wielded machetes and zombie knives and had initially gone after the teenager but soon pounced on the 50-year-old after his son managed to escape. 

"Zombie knives" get their name from popularity in zombie movies, and can range in size and shape but are commonly defined as having "a cutting edge, a serrated edge, and images or words (whether on the blade or handle) that suggest that it is to be used for the purpose of violence."

In footage shared by the Daily Mail, the four men—Tyrone Hollywood, Leighton Williams, Rusharn Williams-Reid, and Aaron Coates—drove a stolen Ford Kuga on that day when they spotted the father and son and started chasing after.

Ward tried to defend his son, who luckily escaped on foot, but paid the ultimate price after being stabbed and left for dead on the roadside by Hollywood and Coates. Emergency services arrived later but were unable to save the situation.

Investigators uncovered a connection between the victim's son and some of the assailants following an extensive investigation that was carried out. 

Ward's son had previously been friends with some of the attackers before a falling out, which resulted in their home being attacked a few days before the incident.

"This is an absolutely horrific attack on a man who was simply going about his day, ordering a takeaway with his son," the head of the homicide department, Det. Shaun Edwards shared.

"You can see from the video evidence the ruthless determination that the attackers had as they chased down Mr Ward and his son and ultimately killed Mr. Ward," he continued. "Our investigation was absolutely painstaking, and we were able to place the defendants at the scene."

According to the Daily Mail, recent developments from the case revealed that the masked thugs responsible for the harrowing attack have been charged, bringing a semblance of justice to the victim's family.

The Coventry crown court handed the assailants the sentences after hearing how they were among the group of four and deciding on their connection in the murder.

Hollywood was found guilty of murder alongside Williams. Their fellow gang member Coates was not convicted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.

The fourth member, Williams-Reid, was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter. 

All four were found guilty of conspiracy to murder Mr. Ward's son and would be handed their sentences in January 2024.

According to the news outlet, Ward's partner, Tammy, paid tributes to her late love, praising his sacrificial personality while describing him as a "loving partner, father, son, brother and friend to many."

She continued, "He was very unique, and there was never a dull moment when he was around. He was funny, the life and soul of a party, he worked hard to provide for his family, he had so much more to live for and loved life."

Ward's partner noted that she didn't get the chance to say "goodbye" as she lamented watching his horrific death on camera. She also divulged that there were about 500 people present for his funeral and she called her partner's killing "disgraceful."

"Knife crime is a huge problem in the UK. We hear about it every day. The levels of violence are increasing and this is why we need longer sentences on those caught with knives or machetes," Tammy added.

"It's our news today and could be yours tomorrow. We need to send a message to the young people that life is not a computer game, but it appears that this is exactly what the younger generation are treating life as. It appears that they believe they have the authority to decide on someone's fate?"

R.I.P Kelvin Ward.