A member of a drill music group has been stabbed to death and two others have suffered knife injuries in south London.
The deceased man is understood to be a 23-year-old known as “Incognito”, a well-known figure in London’s underground rap scene and one of the Moscow 17 group.
He was killed on the same road as another member of Moscow 17, 17-year-old Rhyhiem Ainsworth Barton, who was shot dead in May.
Police say they are treating the incident as “gang-related” and have launched a murder investigation into the killing.
Two men aged 18 and 19 remain in custody on suspicion of murder after being arrested close to the area. A police cordon is in place around the crime scene and officers are calling for witnesses to come forward.
Police and London’s Air Ambulance Service were called to Warham Street in Camberwell at around 7.20pm on Wednesday where all three men were found.
One of the victims was declared dead at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said, while the two others aged 16 and 31 were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
A statement released by the Met said the deceased man’s next-of-kin had been informed.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “Another young man has tragically and needlessly lost his life through an act of violence.
“We are keeping an open mind about the positive motive for this attack, but at this early stage one line of enquiry is this being gang-related.
“I’d like to reassure the community that we have made two arrests and we are working around the clock to establish what happened and bring those responsible to justice.
“However, we cannot do this alone and I’d appeal to any witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch with us as a matter of urgency. Any information, however insignificant you think it is, is vital to our investigation. Any information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.”
A Twitter account for Moscow 17 posted: “Today we have taken a very sad loss in our member @SK017_ /Incognito , we ask for all prayers be directed towards him & his family.”
Drill music often features violent lyrics and has been used by territorial gangs to threaten each other.
Sadiq Khan said on Twitter: “My heart goes out to the family of the 23-year-old man fatally stabbed last night in Southwark.”
At the time of Rhyhiem’s death in May, his mother Pretana Morgan called for a halt in the wave of violence in the capital.
She said: “Let my son be the last and be an example to everyone. Just let it stop. What must be, must be.
“It’s not about race, it’s not about nation, it’s not about culture. Nothing. It’s just a human race.
“Just one human race. So children, please let my son be the last.”
The latest stabbing comes after Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick said violent crime was starting to “stabilise” in London.
The murder rate in the UK capital briefly overtook New York’s earlier this year after a spate of deadly knife attacks.
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4622 or police on 101.
