Two teenagers have been convicted of the brutal murder of a 15-year-old boy in a public setting following a dispute triggered by a TikTok video. Mohanad Goobe lost his life in September last year after being fatally stabbed during a significant altercation in Moss Side, Manchester. The two teenagers involved, identified in court as Boy A (16) and Boy B (15), were found guilty of murder. Another teenager, Boy C (14), was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter.
During the court proceedings at Bolton Crown Court, it was revealed that Mohanad had been discussing a prior fight instigated by a TikTok video in late August. A rematch was scheduled for September 15, drawing a crowd of over 20 individuals to the intersection of Moss Lane East and Monton Street.
Prosecutor Alex Leach KC presented CCTV footage during the trial, showing the moment Mohanad was assaulted, dragged to the ground, kicked, and ultimately stabbed in the chest. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital later that day.
Prior to the fatal incident, Boy A had engaged in a physical altercation with one of Mohanad’s acquaintances on August 25, stemming from a TikTok video disagreement. Mohanad’s friend lost the altercation, leading to a planned rematch. The tension escalated further when Boy A was reported to have attacked Mohanad’s friend with a knife in a previous incident.
The court learned that discussions about the impending confrontation and rematch took place over Snapchat, with Mohanad confirming his attendance. The atmosphere became increasingly hostile, with Mohanad expressing readiness to engage in violent confrontations.
On the day before the fatal encounter, the defendants orchestrated plans through group chats, with Boy C suggesting the use of intimidation tactics. Messages indicated the intent to engage in physical altercations, with Boy B seeking to acquire a knife for the impending confrontation.
On the day of the altercation, Boy A skipped school and joined Boy B, where knives were displayed and recorded. Subsequent CCTV footage captured the groups approaching each other, leading to the fatal confrontation where Mohanad was fatally wounded. The defendants are set to be sentenced on May 21.
