Detectives have arrested two teenage boys on suspicion of murder after a “generous and good” 17-year-old was fatally stabbed near the gates of his former primary school.
The victim was found dying from a single stab wound in Longshaw Road, Chingford, at 9.20pm on Easter Monday. Neighbours, paramedics and police battled to save the boy but he was declared dead at the scene.
Police said on Wednesday they arrested two boys, aged 15 and 16, at residential addresses in Chingford.
The teenagers are being questioned at a north London police station.
A friend said the victim was walking past Longshaw school with another boy when a knifeman jumped out of a car and began chasing them.
They split up, the friend made it to safety at another friend’s house while the victim was “targeted” by the knifeman who “appeared out of the dark”, he said.
The school friend told the Standard: “It could’ve been me. He was a good friend, a very good person.
“Out of all my friends he was the nicest, most generous person. He was quiet but once you got to know him he got active, he liked to dance. We hung out all day that day just chilling. He was completely fine he had no reason to be looking over his shoulder. He wasn’t involved in any of the Waltham Forest gang stuff. I got a call saying he had been stabbed. If they were targeting him then it could just as well had been me. I ran down but there was nothing I could do I couldn’t get past the tape.
“I can’t think of one person in this planet who would want to hurt him. There was no reason.”
The murder investigation is being led by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command. Officers have been trawling through CCTV images from around the crime scene as they attempt to close in on the killer who stabbed his victim in the chest.
Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith from the Specialist Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation is continuing at pace and this morning we made two arrests in connection with this tragic incident, which resulted in a teenager losing his life.
“However, our enquiries very much continue and I would appeal to anyone with information who is yet to speak to us to come forward. Your information, no matter how small you think it is, could help get justice for a grieving family.”
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick added: “This is a tragic incident and I am devastated that a young life has been lost as a result of knife crime. Incidents such as this have a devastating impact on families , friends and our local communities.”
Forensic teams have been sweeping the crime scene as inquiries continue.
Anyone with information on either incident should call police on 101 or to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
