"I Couldn't Save Him": Heartbreaking Testimony from the Friend of Murdered Youth Yemano Zalka

A young man who was working alongside Yemano Zalka on Independence Day has shared a heartbreaking account of the moments leading up to the teenager’s murder. Zalka was killed in a knife attack outside the pizzeria where they were employed, after a minor dispute over the use of snow spray turned into a violent mob assault. In his first public testimony, the friend explained that he and Zalka had attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the group of teenagers quickly turned aggressive.

The witness described the terrifying progression of the attack, explaining that he had tried to place his hand on one of the suspect’s shoulders to move them away from the shop entrance. He recalled that while he was struggling to hold off other members of the mob, he suddenly realized Zalka had collapsed. "I was with my back to him, and he was stabbed," the friend shared, expressing deep remorse over his inability to save Zalka’s life. "I tried to help again and again, but I didn't succeed."

Nine minors, some with known histories of violence, have been arrested in connection with the murder. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are working to ensure that all those involved are held accountable. The family of Zalka and his friends are calling for the justice system to take the strongest possible action against the suspects to ensure that such acts of senseless violence do not become normalized. As the case proceeds, the story of Zalka’s death has remained at the forefront of public consciousness, reminding the community of the urgent need for addressing rising levels of youth violence in the region.