The family of a father who was stabbed to death in a street fight paid tribute today as they urged action to prevent knife crime becoming “normalised” in London.
Ismail Ceesay, 33, was found with stab injuries opposite Atherton Leisure Centre in Warwick Road, Forest Gate, at 1.15am on Tuesday. Police and ambulance crews who had been called to a fight involving men and women found the father-of-one collapsed. He was taken to an east London hospital where he later died.
Mr Ceesay’s family today told of their heartbreak as they called for action to be stepped up against knife crime in the capital.
“Ismail was loved and will be greatly missed by all the family,” they said. “He has a big heart and bright spirit, whenever he walked into a room you could just feel the love. It’s not just a man that’s died in the street — he’s a son, a father, a brother and an uncle. He will be deeply missed.
“Let’s not normalise knife crime, something has to be done.”
Mr Ceesay’s niece, who did not want to be named, added: “He was loved, there is no doubt about that. And the only thing we can all do now is look forward and make sure he has a good send-off.”
Scotland Yard said a woman aged 20 and a 46-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Both remain in custody at an east London police station.
Detectives investigating the incident have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.
Mr Ceesay was one of three people to lose their lives to street violence over the Bank Holiday weekend, taking the number of murder investigations opened this year above 50.
On Friday, Alimuz Zaman, 23, was stabbed in Mile End as he walked to the shops to buy food for his family.
Two men, both aged 19, have been charged with murder and are due to appear at the Old Bailey on a date to be fixed.
On Saturday afternoon, food delivery rider Iderval da Silva, 46, was attacked in Battersea. He died in hospital three days later from head injuries.
Mr da Silva’s death sparked a “ride-out” by more than 200 moped riders in Westminster in protest at his killing.
A boy aged 16 was appearing in court today charged with murder.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
