A ‘well-mannered’ 17-year-old was left ‘with his chest ripped open’ after being killed in a knife attack.
The victim, named locally as Nedim, was murdered last night (Tues) in Caledonian Road, north London.
Detectives arrested two boys aged 16 and 17 on suspicion of murder near the scene – with another 18-year-old arrested at a house nearby.
Police and paramedics raced to the scene just before 7pm yesterday, but Nedim was pronounced dead outside of a Ladbrokes betting shop.
An eyewitness said: “God knows how his mum feels, he was laying in the rain for over an hour.
“It was more than a knife, it ripped his chest wide open and he died at the scene, rest in peace Nedim.”
Shocked residents paid tribute to the teenage.
Michelle Ley, 51, said: “Nedim was a polite, happy boy. What happened was a complete shock.
“He was a friend of my son’s and he would always say hello – he was very well mannered.”
Caledonian Ward councillor Paul Convery said last night: “In the morning I’ll walk my nine-year-old to school.
“Like scores of other families who pass the very cold pavement spot where a teenager died tonight.
“Cally continues to face a cycle of violence that is traumatising our neighbourhood, a family is in tears tonight – this has to stop.”
An eyewitness saw the third suspect arrested just outside her home in Islington.
Evelyn Nnabuife-Wilson said: “One of the young boys was arrested on my road. I stood outside with the police trying to understand what happened.
“They held him in handcuffs waiting for sniffer dogs to locate where the knife had been ditched.
“He stood there and looked like he just received a parking ticket. No remorse and not a care in the world.”
Islington MPS had placed a section 60 stop and search order until 3 am this morning. This gives them emergency powers to stop and search at will.
A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed that detectives arrested three teenagers on suspicion of murder.
He said: “Police were called at 6.49pm on Tuesday, January 29 to a report of an assault in Caledonian Road, by the junction with Tilloch Street, N1.
“Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and found a 17-year-old male suffering stab injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Although we await formal identification officers are confident they know the identity of the deceased.
“Next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be arranged in due course.
“Detectives from the Central North Command Unit are investigating alongside colleagues from the Homicide and Major Crime Command.
“Two males aged 17 and 16, were arrested near to the scene on suspicion of murder. They were taken into custody at separate north London police stations.
“Following initial enquiries a third male, aged 18, was arrested on suspicion of murder at a residential address in Islington. He also remains in custody at this time.
“A crime scene remains in place. Enquiries continue.”
By Daniel Hammond