A 26-year-old man was murdered as an argument with at least two men inside a late night bar spilled out into the street at closing time.
The unnamed man was knifed in London’s trendy Shoreditch just before 6.30am on Saturday.
He had been inside the Rolling Stock bar on Kingsland Road and had got into a dispute with at least two men, detectives believe.
Appealing for witnesses DI Rita Tierney said: “One line of enquiry is that there may have been a dispute or altercation that has taken place inside the bar between the victim and two or more other men.
“The incident occurred between 6.13am and 6.30am on Saturday morning.
“As the bar closed, this dispute may have spilled out onto the streets with fatal consequences.
“Were you at the Rolling Stock Bar early on Saturday morning? Perhaps you were passing by the area by car or walking home. Did you see anything suspicious?
“This area has a busy bar and nightlife scene and people would have been in and around the area.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who has information about what happened and who was involved.
“A number of active enquiries – including CCTV enquiries and forensic analysis from the scene are in hand.”
Police were called to Kingsland Road at the junction with Waterson Street at 6.29am following reports of a man injured.
Officers, London Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man in his twenties suffering from stab injuries.
He was taken to a central London hospital in a critical condition where he died a few hours later.
His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem and formal identification still have to take place.
No arrests have been made and the investigation by the Homicide and Major Crime Command continues.
Scotland Yard added: “There will be an increased police presence in this popular and busy area.
“Extra high visibility patrols will be carried out by local neighbourhood officers who will be on hand to speak with locals about any concerns they have.”