A teenager has been killed by a gang brandishing knives and wide swords in London last night.
The boy, believed to be 16, died after he was stabbed in Pimlico, central London, shortly before 7pm. Mohammed Alzubaidi (49) from nearby Peabody Close, said his friend witnessed a gang of teenagers carrying out the attack.
“He said they were carrying knives, some of them with wide swords. He said the victim was screaming and trying to get away,” Mr Alzubaidi said. He said his friend told him the gang had scattered and run off in different directions.
The fatally injured teenager was found by ambulance staff after emergency services were called to the Lupus Street area following reports that a youth had been stabbed. He was taken to a south London hospital where he died a few hours later.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said a murder inquiry was under way.
“We must retain an open mind re the circumstances of the incident and any motive at this early stage.” There has been no arrest.
The murder scene in Lupus Street remained cordoned off today with a number of police present.
The street, close to Pimlico Underground station, is bordered by extensive council estates on one side and is home to Pimlico Academy.
A 58-year-old local resident, who did not want to be named, said there had been two murders in nearby Gloucester Street in recent years and a stabbing of a boy outside a row of shops in Lupus Street before Christmas.
“The violence that has started to occur around here is something else, it is frightening for all the residents,” she said.
“You used to be able to walk around at night but I am starting to be very wary, especially at night-time.” Anyone with any information can call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
PA