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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
John Dunne, Anthony France

Mohammed Usman Mirza: First picture of teenager stabbed to death in brawl in east London

Mohammed Usman Mirza, 19, died outside a tower block in east London (Picture: Met police)

This is the first picture of a teenager stabbed to death in a “particularly vicious” brawl outside a tower block in east London.

Police and paramedics battled to save Mohammed Usman Mirza, 19, but he died at the scene in Fullwell Avenue, Ilford at 10.20pm on Tuesday.

Mohammed’s killing took the number of teenage homicides in the capital to a 10-year high.

Witnesses raised the alarm after hearing a car explode, in a blast which “rocked” nearby homes and sent a plume of black smoke into the air outside 12-storey Owen Waters House.

Three men - two in balaclavas - were seen running from the burning Audi A3, parked near garages. A fight erupted in the street followed by screams before a second car drove away.

Police said blood spatters had been found near the burnt-out car.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Soole, who said: “This was a particularly vicious attack.

“While we currently retain an open mind concerning motive, the possibility that the murder is gang-related is a very strong line of enquiry.”

The killing marked the 122nd homicide investigation launched in the capital this year and brings the total number of teenagers killed to 25, surpassing 2018’s toll of 24.

A record 28 youngsters were murdered in 2008.

Anyone with information should call the 101 line (ref CAD 9907/19 Nov).

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