Speaking in a hushed and nervous voice, Abdifatah called 911 at 4:05 p.m. April 18, 2011. He was killed by his stepfather a year later, April 17, 2012.
This is the transcript from his call to 911:
Male operator: 911, what is the common address of your complaint?
Abdifatah: My stepdad is abusing me, so could you please come?
Operator: Your dad is doing what?
Abdifatah: Abusing me.
Operator: When did this happen?
Abdifatah: It has been happening for about a year.
Operator: When was the last time, just now?
Abdifatah: No, like a few days ago.
Operator: What address are you at?
Abdifatah: Huh? 30 Guilford. Please come fast.
Operator: What is your name?
Abdifatah: Abdifatah Mohamud. He has been threatening me for almost my whole life.
Operator: Did he actually physically hit you?
Abdifatah: Yes, of course.
Operator: How old are you?
Abdifatah: Ten.
Operator: Where are you going to be waiting for us?
Abdifatah: Inside the house.
The call ended at 4:08 p.m. and a dispatcher sent a Ferry-Fillmore District patrol car to investigate. At about 4:15 p.m., Abdifatah called 911 a second time, and a female operator asked for the caller’s address, then asked about the nature of the complaint.
Operator: What’s going on?
Abdifatah: Child abuse.
Operator: Explain it.
Abdifatah: My stepdad has been hitting me for everything. He thinks it’s for my reason. He’s starts knocking [possibly mocking] me, but I never did anything.
Operator: OK, we have officers on the way.
Abdifatah: Please come very fast. It’s a matter of life and death.
Operator: Are there any weapons in your house?
Abdifatah: Huh?
Operator: Any guns?
Abdifatah: Yes, he has a machete and a Taser.
Operator: Have you seen it?
Abdifatah: No, not yet.
Operator: Well, I’m not going to put that in.
Abdifatah: He told me has been using it.
Operator: OK, I’ll let the officers know.
The police officer radioed in a summary of the investigation at 5:30 p.m. and reported that Abdifatah said his stepfather claimed to have a machete but that the boy had not seen it. Abdifatah stated that his stepfather has been physically abusing him and that the last time was a few days earlier. After the call, Buffalo Police contacted Erie County Child Protective Services to investigate possible child abuse.
