A young man has been stabbed to death in broad daylight in south London.
Police found the 22-year-old collapsed with a knife injury on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton at roughly 4.45pm on Tuesday.
Witnesses described how the stabbing took place on a parade of shops with terrified shoppers running for their lives as the tragedy unfolded.
A shop worker said: “It was really busy on the street, there was a shout then screaming. Everyone scattered. Someone shouted ‘he’s been stabbed’. There was a boy on the ground, the paramedics arrived and worked on him.
“Initially people had ran away thinking it could be a terrorist incident or something. Then the paramedics and police were here and people wanted to help if they could.
“All of us with businesses here are in shock. Their were kids coming home from school they had to see all that. I’m very upset.”
Another witness said: “A large group of people were around the boy after the stabbing. I’m not sure if they were friends or family but they were very distressed.”
Officers and London Ambulance Service responded to reports of a stabbing.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he died at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed a murder investigation is now under way. On Wednesday afternoon they said a 23-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder after attending hospital.
Another fatal stabbing in South London.
— Fraser Knight (@Fraser_Knight) October 3, 2023
The Met says a 22 year-old man has died after being found on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton.
Huge police cordon in place covering the street, part of Gresham Road and up Brixton Station Road, causing gridlock.
No arrest has been made @LBC pic.twitter.com/Rr1zS47u95
Detective Inspector Kevin Martin, Specialist Crime, said: “This awful attack took place in broad daylight, in front of people simply going about their business.
“I don’t underestimate the impact such a horrific incident will have had on anyone who saw it. We have heard from a number of people but I am asking anyone who witnessed it to speak to us, in confidence, about what they saw.
“An arrest has been made and we are making significant progress, but we can never have too much information. Our work to establish a motive is ongoing.
“Any information, however small, may assist the investigation and allow those responsible to be held to account.
“I am also fully aware that there are a number of videos circulating following the incident, including of the crime scene. I know that these videos are causing enormous distress for the loved ones of the victim, and I would ask people to respect them by not circulating this upsetting footage.”
To remain 100 per cent anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org.
