A 15-year-old boy has been stabbed to death after picking up his younger sister from his old primary school in Hackney.
Paramedics battled to save the teenager - named locally as Pharrell Garcia - after he staggered from near Benthal primary school for about 50 metres before collapsing on Stellman Close shortly after 4pm on Tuesday.
However, he was pronounced dead at the scene and is now the second 15-year-old killed this week following the fatal shooting of Rene Graham at a family fun day in a Ladbroke Grove park on Sunday.
Detective Chief superintendent James Conway, head of policing in Hackney, on Wednesday said a 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder.“The family are heartbroken,” he added.
Witnesses on Wednesday spoke of their shock at the latest killing, which took place on the school’s last day of term. A local said: “The boy used to go to the school. It’s an absolute tragedy. He came here on an innocent visit and ended up dead.”
A youth worker added: “The boy had been at his old primary school. After he was stabbed the receptionist came out and said ‘I hope it’s not him’. But it was and everyone was so upset. I heard that after he went to the school he was supposed to meet a girl. Then he was jumped, it was a set up. They demanded his phone, he refused and he was stabbed in the back.”
After the incident she said the boy’s grandmother and uncle turned up at the scene. The witness added: “They were devastated. I also saw one of the police women with a tear in her eye. There was a lot of grief.”
Friends and loved ones have paid tributes to the teenager online as they expressed their shock and grief at the news.
One wrote: “Rest in peace bro. I heard this and broke down. You have left your loved ones not just in tears but filled with questions.
“You always would argue and fight me, make me laugh and walk around with a smile on your face. Can't really say much other than RIP. Big bro.”
Several other friends posted videos of memories they had shared with Pharrell under the caption: “LLP. Gonna miss my brother man.”
Tom Wiecielkowski, 43, an administrator who lives next to the crime scene, described the “horrifying” moment the boy collapsed.
He told the Standard: “The boy was wounded and had staggered to the end of the close where he collapsed. Neighbours ran out with pillows and towels to try to help him. Then the paramedics arrived and worked for hours to save him.
“They were giving him chest compressions and I could see he was still breathing. It was strange I could not see any blood but they were most concerned about an injury on his side. He did not say anything and the way he looked I feared the worst. It’s difficult to get those images out of your head.”
Two Lime hire bikes have been covered in police tape as detectives work to establish if they had been used by a potential attacker.
Tariq Shakir 41, a bus driver, ran out with neighbours to try to help the latest knife attack victim.
He said: “We rushed out after seeing the boy collapsed. He looked badly wounded and was very pale, to be honest he looked as if he was dying. His eyes were closed. Some neighbours used a towel to try to stop the blood before the paramedics arrived.
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“The medics were amazing they worked for three or four hours. They just wouldn’t give up. It gives you faith in human nature at such a terrible time. They were heroes.”
He added: “We have had problems with drug dealing around here and once a bullet went through my window in crossfire. Still, a life lost takes it to another level.”
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, leading the investigation, said: “We know this happened in a busy area during the day and there would have been people around. The suspect is believed to have run away from the scene and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Stellman Close area around 4pm to contact police.”
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway earlier added: “The death of a child is devastating and my first thoughts are with his family and friends. Our communities will also be deeply concerned by this event. Urgent enquiries are underway and my officers are working hard to identify the suspects.
“Residents can expect to see a notable police presence in the area as the investigation continues and there will be road closures in the Stellman Close area for some time. Our communities have shown their strength in coming forward to support the police in tackling knife crime and I ask for their support again.”
#Hackney
— 999 London (@999London) July 23, 2024
BREAKING: A schoolboy - 15 years of age - has been stabbed to death in broad daylight.
Emergency services rushed to Stellman Close in #LowerClapton, E5, at 4:05pm.
The teenager was found with multiple stab wounds and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/te6GsxzI1C
The Hackney murder follows the fatal shooting of Rene Graham on Sunday evening at the Emslie Pleasance Park in Ladbroke Grove. Witnesses said they believed the killing was a targeted “assassination” and the result of conflict between rival gangs in the area.
The killer was reported to have leapt from a bush before firing into the air to clear crowds and then shooting the teenager, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Four men arrested on suspicion of the murder were later released on bail and police are appealing for information as they continue their search for the killer. Residents yesterday warned of a “summer of bloodshed” amid fears of reprisals.
Kensington MP Joe Powell said during PMQs on Wednesday: “My heart goes out to his family and the wider community that is feeling anxious, frightened and shocked. Can the Prime Minister ensure that North Kensington gets support from this government at this difficult time?”
Sir Keir Starmer described the death as “shocking”.
“The loss of a teenage boy in west London is shocking and our thoughts are with his family and friends. I do urge the public to support the Metropolitan Police with any information which could help in their investigation which is ongoing.
“Making streets safer is one of the five central missions of this government and this is a shocking reminder of just how important that mission is. We have an ambition to drive down this sort of violence in our communities.”
In a further recent incident, another 15-year-old boy was described by police as being fortunate to escape with his life after being shot on Sumner Road in Southwark shortly after 11pm on Monday last week.
The Met said the attack was “an attempt on the life of a 15-year-old boy” and that it was “sheer luck” a murder investigation was not under way.
