A young man was stabbed to death trying to defend his friend after a fight erupted at a Tube station, his friends said today.
Norman Joseph Bertran Tavarez, 24, grew up in the Dominican Republic and moved to London to seek work with his father last year.
He was found suffering knife wounds in a street near Elephant and Castle station shortly before 11.30pm on Sunday and died in hospital yesterday. A 25-year-old man also found with stab injuries remains in a serious condition in hospital.
British Transport Police believe the pair tried to flee after a brawl between two groups of men inside the station. Mr Bertran Tavarez is the 97th person to be killed in the capital this year.
Paola Ynoa, who grew up with the victim in Santiago de los Caballeros, said she had been told he had been stabbed as he tried to defend his friend from being attacked.
She told the Standard: “He never looked for trouble with anyone, I know because we grew up together since we were kids. He was friendly and fun.” Ms Ynoa said his mother and sisters were living in the United States.
Daniel Jose Cruz Tavarez, a relative of the victim, posted a heartfelt tribute to Facebook: “My child, what a great pain you have left in our family. I love you my beautiful boy.”
At a vigil last night, Latin hip hop played as mourners laid candles spelling “Norman” outside the Los Colorados convenience store, where he fell.
Two people were being questioned today after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
Separately, a 16-year-old was in hospital with stab wounds after being attacked in Kennington Road near The Oval at 11.30pm. Less than an hour later, three men aged 19 to 22 were wounded in a stabbing in Church Road, Croydon. All remain in hospital and their conditions are unknown.
- Anyone with information on Mr Bertran Tavarez’s murder should call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 597 of 01/09/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
