A 15-year-old killed in a double stabbing in east London has been named locally as Tashuan Jones.
The teenager described as “bubbly and positive” was knifed along with a friend in Hackney just before 8.45pm last night.
Despite air ambulance doctors treating Tashuan he was pronounced dead where he collapsed in Somerford Grove shortly before 10pm.
He is the 43rd person to be murdered in the capital so far this year.
Today friends and family including Tashuan grandfather and brother gathered to grieve by the police cordon as Tashuan’s mother was too upset to speak as she broke down and wailed “my son, my son.”
Other family members tried to console her before she was led away.
Speaking at the cordon, a former schoolmate said: “Tashuan produced music on the computer, afrobeats, he did it for some artists.
“He was a good guy, always laughing and joking – he was always respectful.
“He was really bubbly and always gave away positive energy.
“I never thought any of my friends would be murdered. I saw him just two days ago.
“Tashuan produced for some artists. Sold beats to big artists. I couldn’t imagine him ever singing, he did drill beats too.
“His parents are from somewhere in the Caribbean.
“That was his friend that was stabbed, he tried to get away.”
Just yards away from the police cordon, a shop worker in his 40s spoke of the moment the friend, 16, stumbled into the shop.
He said: “He was holding his side. He came in and said ‘help me, help me.’
“There was blood everywhere.”
Naomi Richardson who lives nearby said: “I got home from work around nine.
“There were a lot of people screaming, people screaming in the streets, the family I assume.
“We saw the police talking to a group of people then everyone just started screaming.
“It’s not very nice but it’s Dalston isn’t it, it happens a lot.
“I sat and looked out the window but it’s not nice to watch.”
A Met Police spokesman said: “An investigation has been launched after a fatal stabbing in Hackney.
“Police were called to Somerford Grove, Hackney, at 8.54pm on Wednesday, May 1 to reports of a stabbing.
“Officers attended. A male, believed to be 15 years old, was found with stab injuries.
“He was given emergency first aid by officers before paramedics from London’s Air Ambulance were called to the scene.
“Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at 9.49pm.
“His next of kin have been informed.
“The Homicide and Major Crime Command have been informed.
“As a result of this incident a section 60 has been put in place for the whole of Hackney.
“There have been no arrests. Enquiries continue.”
