A 14-year-old boy who died after being stabbed in east London has been named by police.
Fares Maatou died at the scene of the attack in Barking Road, Newham, on Friday afternoon. He was reportedly trying to support a friend during a row when he was stabbed in the head and hit with metal poles.
The Metropolitan police said Fares was found seriously injured outside a pizza restaurant shortly before 4pm on Friday.
Paramedics and an air ambulance attended the scene but despite medical treatment the boy was pronounced dead shortly after 4.30pm.
The force said a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of murder, while another 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident.
DCI Perry Benton said the boy’s family were “absolutely devastated”.
“I have assured them of my total commitment to bringing to justice those responsible for this senseless killing,” he said.
“They will be supported by specialist officers at every stage of what will be a terrible ordeal for them in the weeks, months and years ahead.
“We have already seen fantastic support and received a good deal of information from local people. I thank them for that, and ask anyone with information or any witnesses who have yet to speak with police to please come forward and tell officers what they know.
“We are piecing together the picture of what happened on Friday afternoon, and every fragment of that picture will be crucial.
“Three boys have been arrested and they remain in police custody. This is a fast-moving investigation and there will be further developments.”
Fares’s sister, Amira, wrote on Twitter: “My baby brother, my heart. Please keep him in your prayers.”
Following the attack, a friend of the teenager said in an online tribute: “If you knew Fares you would know he was never involved in anything.”
A 15-year-old friend of the victim told the Sun: “He was kind-hearted and loving. A loyal friend.”
Mourners on Saturday laid flowers in tribute to Fares, who is the 11th and youngest teenager to be stabbed to death in London this year.
On Saturday afternoon a scuffle briefly broke out on Barking Road at a vigil for the teenager. Eight police officers arrived at the location, including some in an unmarked BMW and two male youths were handcuffed.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the stabbing to call 101 or tweet @MetCC.
