A 16-year-old student at Kelmscott School in Walthamstow, east London, fell victim to a brutal knife attack on Friday afternoon. The teenager was ambushed by three older individuals outside his school and chased into a nearby tire shop before being fatally stabbed in the stomach multiple times.
Despite efforts by emergency responders, the young boy died at the scene.
The senseless act of violence has left the Kelmscott School community reeling. Headteacher Sam Jones described the event as the “darkest of days” for the school, emphasizing the close-knit nature of the community and the long-lasting impact the tragedy would have on its members.
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick, who leads the North East Command at the Metropolitan Police, expressed his devastation over the loss of a young life.
Tthere have been no arrests made as of yet in connection to the incident.
Witnesses recounted the terrifying events that unfolded. One individual reported seeing one of the assailants exit a white Hyundai just before the attack.
A local business owner provided further details, explaining that the attackers were older than the victim and had been waiting for him. After chasing the teenager, they stabbed him three times in the stomach, ultimately causing him to bleed to death.
The local business owner noted that gang-related violence has become increasingly prevalent in Walthamstow, with the situation worsening over time.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that knife crimes in England and Wales reached 45,000 in the year ending March 2022 – a 9% increase from the previous year and a 34% increase compared to 2010-2011.