Saba Abraham, 24, was shot to death in Älvsjö

Saba Abraham , a 24-year-old youth worker born in Eritrea, was fatally shot while working at a youth football event in southern Stockholm.

Saba Abraham turned 24. Photo: City of Stockholm

Saba Abraham was passionate about helping young people and children.

Last Friday, she was shot to death during a soccer event for the socio-economically disadvantaged.

“She was such a warm and incredibly appreciated person,” says District Director Lee Orberson.

On Friday evening, Saba Abraham was at Kämpetorpshallen in Älvsjö for a spontaneous football game. It is a recurring event held to make the sport accessible to socio-economically disadvantaged youth and children.

At 9 p.m., she was shot to death while the impromptu football game was going on.

– It is such a great tragedy what happened. Saba Abraham was a great enthusiast, says the district director for Hägersten-Älvsjö, Lee Orberson.

“Huge loss”

Saba Abraham was employed by the City of Stockholm and worked in the district. On Monday evening, a post was made on social media about her.

"Saba was a person who wanted to make a difference for the young people she met in her work. She was a deeply committed and well-liked colleague," it is written.

Lee Orberson says that for several years she has worked very hard to help the young people in the area.

– Almost everyone I meet has had contact with Saba. There are hundreds of children over time that she has met and helped. It is a huge loss, says Lee Orberson.

Candles and flowers at the memorial site. Photo: CAROLINA BYRMO

On Wednesday evening, the district administration in Hägersten-Älvsjö will hold a minute's silence for Saba Abraham.

– Everyone has taken this very hard. She was a very nice person and our thoughts go out to the family and relatives in their grief, says Lee Orberson.

Two suspects

Friday's spontaneous football match was arranged by Hammarby football's community project, Samhällsmatchen, and the club has also come out and talked about Saba.

"Several employees within Hammarby Football have worked with her and know her well, and it is with great dismay that we received the news," the club wrote over the weekend.

Two teenage boys are suspected of the murder. They were arrested on Saturday morning and remanded in custody on Tuesday. They have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Saba Abraham's family has approved, through the district administration, that Aftonbladet use their name and image.