Musician tells of his agony after son, 21, is knifed to death on Primrose Hill after taking new camera ‘up to do a bit of filming’
A musician’s son was stabbed to death as shocking violence took place at a beauty center in London.
The father of 21-year-old Finbar Sullivan has told the Daily Mail of his heartbreak following his son’s death in Primrose Hill.
Christopher Sullivan, founder of the 1980s band Blue Rondo à la Turk, said: ‘This is the worst tragedy I can imagine. He is my only son… I had him when I was 45. ‘He can never be replaced.’
The 65-year-old, who also founded Soho’s famous Wag Club, added: ‘I’m so heartbroken I can’t believe it. He was the most beautiful, cute, outgoing, loving child in the world. He was a really nice person. And we have no idea why he was targeted.
‘He had bought a new camera, we all contributed to his 21st birthday and he took it there to do some filming.’
Videos of the violence in Primrose Hill, north London, on Tuesday showed groups of men fighting while a teenager pulled out a knife to threaten another teenager.
An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘The park was so busy I went with my friend after work and due to the weather and it being the Easter holidays it was literally the most crowded I have ever seen.
‘Then suddenly we heard a noise behind us and a great brawl began; people were punching, people were yelling at others to stop.
‘A large number of people took part in the fight and most appeared to be around 18 or 19 years old.’ Police said no arrests were made.
Finbar Sullivan (center) with his mother Leah Seresin and father Christopher Sullivan, who went to the scene as soon as they heard that their son was caught in violence
The 21-year-old, who studied at the London Screen Academy, followed his family into art, primarily producing music videos for drill rap artists under the name Sully Shot It.
Mr Sullivan said he rushed to the scene as soon as he heard his son had been caught up in the violence: ‘I got the call around six o’clock that he had been stabbed, so I rushed there. I wasn’t allowed in because it was a crime scene, and at this point he had been given CPR for 20 minutes. He was obviously dead.
‘This is Primrose Hill, for God’s sake… it’s like Hyde Park. It’s not a place where you expect that.’
Finbar’s grandfather, Michael Seresin, is a famous cinematographer who worked on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the film adaptation of Angela’s Ashes, and the 1987 film Angel Heart, starring Robert De Niro and Mickey Rourke.
Mr Seresin also runs the Seresin wine estate in New Zealand, where Finbar’s mother Leah is the brand ambassador.
On his birthday last year, she described him as ‘this gift’ and ‘my darling Finbar’ and said: ‘I love you to the moon and back.’
Famous for its hedonism, Wag Club was founded by Mr Sullivan in 1982 and has become a hangout for stars including David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Brad Pitt and Stevie Wonder.
Educated at the London Screen Academy, Finbar followed his family into art, primarily producing music videos for drill rap artists under the name Sully Shot It.
Artist GGL Wuni paid tribute to Finbar last night, writing: ‘My brother, my family, I will never let your name fade. ‘The most pure-hearted man I have ever known always came to me without missing a beat.’
Although the drill music scene has long been associated with gang violence, Mr. Sullivan insisted that his son was not associated with any gang members.
‘All I can tell you is that he was the subject of a random stabbing. “He was not a gang member,” he said.
Although the drill music scene has long been associated with gang violence, Mr Sullivan insisted his son was not associated with any gang members
Finbar was found stabbed after an argument in a London park on Tuesday evening and died at the scene.
Finbar’s father Christopher described him as ‘a great little 21-year-old kid who loves movies and making movies’.
‘He was a wonderful young man, only 21 years old, who loved movies and making movies. He didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, didn’t go out.
‘He would stay at home six nights a week and edit his films. He wanted to follow his own path [grandfather’s footsteps] and be a cameraman.
‘He was a hard-working kid who loved movies and making movies. He recently made a video for Vivienne Westwood’s son, Joseph Corre.
‘We were just about to start a company together… he was going to do a showreel with me today. And now he’s dead.
‘His friend was stabbed in the back and hands while trying to protect him. ‘My son has always tried to defend people, so the attacker might be bullying someone.’
Detective Inspector Andy Griffin, of Scotland Yard, said: ‘We are pursuing several lines of inquiry. This incident occurred in a crowded public park and there may be many witnesses who can help us piece together the incident.
‘We are aware of images circulating on social media of the incident and would urge anyone with any information, including photographs or videos, that could support the investigation to contact us urgently.’
