A schoolboy stabbed to death with a zombie-style knife as he pleaded “I’m 15, don’t let me die” has been named as police arrested two men on suspicion of murder.
Daejaun Campbell was killed ahead of a ban on the weapons coming into force on Tuesday.
He collapsed from a stab injury shortly after reports of a disturbance on Eglinton Road, Woolwich around 6.30pm on Sunday.
Tasha Collins, 43, who found him lying in “a massive pool of blood”, said: “He just kept going to me, ‘Please. I’m 15. Don’t let me die’.
“He’s crying and I’m saying, ‘Don’t worry, your mum will be here in a minute’.
Daejaun died a short time later and his next of kin were informed.
Two men - aged 18 and 52 - detained over his murder remain in police custody.
Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry said: “My thoughts are with Daejuan’s loved ones as they try and come to terms with this heart-breaking incident.
“The investigation into Daejuan’s death is still in the early stages and our officers are working around the clock to build a picture of what happened on Sunday evening.
“Local officers will remain in the area whilst we continue with our investigation. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions, they are there to support you and the community.”
He added: “The fact a 15-year-old teenager who had his whole life ahead of him has been taken from his family in this way is a stark and sobering reminder of the danger of zombie-style knives.
“We are committed to doing everything in our power to taking these weapons off the streets.”
Owning zombie-style knives and machetes became illegal on September 24.
The ban is part of efforts to reduce knife crime, with campaigners including actor Idris Elba pushing for the large blades to be outlawed.
Chief Superintendent Lawry also urged any witnesses of Sunday’s attack, who may have seen someone running in the area, to come forward.
A man who lives on Eglinton Road and did not wish to be named said he had heard a helicopter over his house on Sunday evening for around 20 minutes and that his 16-year-old son had been friends with the victim since primary school.
He said: “Around midnight, I was going to the bathroom, and my son was up.
“He was meant to be sleeping but he was up and that’s when he said to me ‘dad, I just got some bad news’ and I was like ‘go to bed, you’ve got school tomorrow’ and he said, ‘No, one of my friends has been stabbed.’
“I felt bad enough then and then he said ‘He’s dead’.”
He continued: “I’m glad it’s not (my son) obviously but it just fills you with worry as a parent, he’s a black kid, he’s about that age – trying to keep him away from gangs and all the rest of it.”
A police cordon and a tent were in place at the scene on Eglinton Road on Monday morning, along with more than a dozen officers wearing helmets and carrying protective shields.
Several police vans were also parked nearby while officers visited surrounding properties.
A spokesperson for London major Sadiq Khan said: “This heartbreaking violence has no place in our streets.”
