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LONDON - British police were questioning two teenagers, one aged 13, today after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death in east London, the latest murder involving young people in recent weeks.
The dead boy, named as Paul Erhahon, and his 15-year-old friend were found with stab wounds by police officers on Friday night (Saturday morning NZT) near a block of flats in Leytonstone after being attacked during a confrontation with a large gang of youths.
They were taken to hospital but the 14-year-old died while his friend is in a critical condition.
"We understand a large group of youths were involved in an incident in the foyer of Gean Court, a block of flats in Langthorne Road, during which we believe the two victims were stabbed," Detective Inspector Matthew Horne said.
"It is believed they then managed to stagger the short distance to nearby Crownfield Road. A number of youths were seen running from the scene."
Detectives arrested a 13-year-old boy at his home in Leytonstone shortly after midnight and a 19-year-old man in north London at about 5am They are both in custody.
"I knew Paul from birth," read a message left on the tribute website gonetoosoon.co.uk from a family friend called Ali.
"I can't believe he has gone, he was always so positive about life and looked on the bright side of things."
The murder follows a number of other violent, often gang-related murders involving teenagers.
Adam Regis, 15-year-old nephew of Olympic sprinter John Regis, was stabbed to death in an east London street last month, just days after 16-year-old Kodjo Yenga was knifed to death in west London.
In February, three teenagers were shot dead in separate incidents in south London, sparking intense political debate about violent crime and gang culture among young people.
- REUTERS
