Officers have said David Gomoh was not involved in any arguments and there is no reason why he was attacked.
An NHS worker has been stabbed to death in a “totally unprovoked attack” in east London just days before his father’s funeral.
David Gomoh, 24, was speaking to a friend on the phone when he was knifed by a group of men in masks moments after leaving his home in Newham on Sunday.
Police were called to the scene in Freemasons Road at 10.26pm and Mr Gomoh was taken to an east London hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The marketing graduate was a key worker who helped keep NHS staff supplied with essential equipment. His mother is a nurse who also works for the NHS.
Mr Gomoh was walking along Freemasons Road when he was attacked
He was due to attend the funeral on Wednesday of his father, who died recently from a COVID-19-related illness.
Detectives have said Mr Gomoh was not involved in any arguments and there is nothing in his background which gives any reason for why he was singled out.
No arrests have been made.
Detective Inspector Tony Kirk, of the Metropolitan Police’s specialist crime command, said Mr Gomoh’s family were going through “unimaginable torment”.
He added: “Within days his mother has seen the death of her husband and son; his sister has lost her brother and father, both are now heartbroken.
“David was a young man who had worked hard to put himself through university and, like his mother, worked hard for the community in the NHS.
“At this time we believe the only thing David did to be murdered was walk down a street. He was apparently approached by a group of men wearing masks and stabbed multiple times in a ferocious assault.
“I have no doubt this was a planned attack that singled out David because he happened to be in that area.
“David and his mother, who have done so much to help the community, now need the public to come forward and tell us what they know. If you have any information, please think of this young man and the suffering of his family and call us.
“If you don’t want to give your name, call Crimestoppers, but do make that call. David’s family deserve both answers and justice.”
Officers believe those involved left the scene in a stolen silver Dodge Caliber that was abandoned at about 10.30pm in Lincoln Road after driving through a no entry sign from Cumberland Road.
The car had been stolen in Dagenham on Thursday 16 April and had cloned registration plates when it was recovered.