A 15-year-old aspiring musician was stabbed to death after a “fracas” with a group of youths in a park in east London.
The “distraught” family of the boy went to the scene of his death in Somerford Grove, Hackney, with one woman heard screaming: “It’s my son. It’s my son.”
Another teenager, 16, was riding a bicycle when he was stabbed and chased, before he sought refuge in a convenience store.
Scotland Yard’s Detective Chief Inspector Helen Rance said: “We believe both victims were attacked following a fracas with another group of youths in a park near Somerford Grove, before both fled.
“The 15-year-old victim was assisted by members of the public prior to the arrival of emergency services, but tragically he could not be saved.
“The 16-year-old victim was on a bicycle; he was stabbed and chased.
“He tried to cycle away but the attackers caught up with him in Shacklewell Road.
“This victim then made his way to a convenience shop for help.
“A young man has lost his life, leaving behind a distraught family, while another remains in hospital.
“That is not right and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible.”
Despite efforts of medics to save him he was pronounced dead at 9.49pm. He is the eighth teenager to die violently so far this year.
A friend who visited the scene of the boy’s death said: “It’s sad. It came to us as a surprise because he was a good guy.
“We did music together. He didn’t only produce afrobeats, he made drill music as well. He also sold some beats to some big artists.
“I never thought that any of my friends would be murdered. I’m shocked.”
Another friend added: “”I’m so done. It doesn’t feel safe anymore.”
I am deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Hackney. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
This horrific violence has absolutely no place on our streets. To anyone with information – please contact police on 101 or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously. https://t.co/zioKMsRGPl
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) May 2, 2019
A man who said he was the boy’s grandfather said: “The family is trying the bear up, considering the situation.”
Another man who lives nearby but did not want to be named, said: “I could hear people shouting.
“They were screaming the ‘f’ word. I think it was the friends of the poor boy.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the “horrific violence,” and said: “I am deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Hackney. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
