The distraught mother of a “bubbly” young man stabbed to death in southeast London paid tribute as his killer remains at large.
Messiah Robb, 20, was described as having a “contagious smile that would light up the room”.
A murder investigation is under way after Mr Robb collapsed during a “senseless” attack in Benin Street, Lewisham, at around 3.20pm on Tuesday.
London Ambulance Service called the Metropolitan Police to a serious knife assault on the junction with Hither Green Lane.
Paramedics treated him at the scene before taking him to hospital where he sadly died.
In a statement released by the Metropolitan Police, Mr Robb’s mother said: “The loss of Messiah has left a hole in our hearts which will never be filled.
“Messiah was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin and a friend.
“His family and friends have been left devastated. He was a bubbly young man with a contagious smile that would light up the room.”
Mr Robb’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, the force said.
Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee, from the Met’s Specialist Crime unit, added: “Yesterday, a senseless attack took a much-loved man away from his family, friends and community.
“Our thoughts are with them at this unimaginably difficult time.
“There is no place for knife crime on our streets.
“I’d again like to reassure local residents that myself and my team are working meticulously to find those responsible.
“This attack took place in broad daylight. There were witnesses.
“If you happen to have been around Hither Green Lane between 3pm and 3.30pm – or know anything about the incident – please do not hesitate to contact us.”
At this early stage, there have been no arrests. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
LAS said: “We were called at 3.25pm on October 28 to reports of a stabbing at the junction of Benin Street and Hither Green Lane, Hither Green.
“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars and an incident response officer.
“Our first paramedic arrived on scene in five minutes.
“We treated a patient for a stab wound and took them to hospital as a priority.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101, quoting 4648/28OCT, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
