Regent's Park stabbing: police name 25-year-old knife victim as suspects remain at large

Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of a man in St John's Wood have today named the victim as 25-year-old Zahir Visiter of Westminster. (Picture: Met Police)

A 25-year-old man who was fatally stabbed, prompting armed police to seal off a mosque as they hunted for suspects, has been named by police.

Zahir Visitor, of Westminster, central London, was stabbed to death at around 6.15pm in Elmton Court, Cunningham Place, north-west London, on Thursday.

The suspects remain at large after fleeing the scene, Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Detective Chief Inspector Garry Moncrieff said: "This murder investigation continues at pace. The attack happened in Cunningham Place opposite Elmton Court.

"A number of people were the area around the time that this happened. We need anyone who saw what happened or was present in the aftermath to get in touch. Anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage before or after the attack is also requested to contact police.

The victim is the 31st person to be stabbed to death in London this year (Jeremy Selwyn)

"There have been reports of two male suspects seen leaving the area towards Park Road and into a nearby mosque. Did you see these two individuals?

"My team are busy working around the clock to trace and apprehend those involved and bring them in for questioning. A review of local CCTV footage, forensic analysis at the scene and searches in and around the scene continue.

"Understandably those in the local area will be alarmed and concerned about this brutal attack. Extra police will be in the area and on hand to speak to the public about any concerns they may have."

The suspects are thought to have run towards Regent's Park and London Central Mosque immediately after the stabbing.

The victim is the 31st person to be stabbed to death in London this year.

The suspects washed their faces and hands alongside worshippers before changing clothes and fleeing (Jeremy Selwyn)

Witnesses said the suspects “washed their faces and feet” alongside members of the mosque, before changing clothes in a toilet and fleeing.

Mr Visitor's death came less than 24 hours before a man in his 40s was fatally stabbed in his car on Friday afternoon outside Clapham Common tube station, in south-west London.

A friend described him as “a beautiful human being” who was originally from Kosovo. He had allegedly been living in fear of trouble after an argument over a girl.