London's year of violence - 21 teens killed in capital as knife crime soars
A total of 21 teenagers met violent deaths in London in 2023 - the last of which came in the remaining moments of New Year's Eve.
Harry Pitman was stabbed while waiting to watch fireworks at Primrose Hill park in Camden on Sunday night, with his heartbroken siblings claiming his dinner was "still in the oven" when he died.
The 16-year-old was standing with friends near a viewing platform in the park when he became involved in an altercation. Officers at the scene administered first aid before medics arrived, but despite their best efforts the teen passed away shortly before midnight.
Knife crime in particular continues to be a colossal problem for the capital, with 18 teens fatally stabbed last year, heaping further pressure on Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley and London Mayor Sadiq Khan to do more. According to Met data, between January 1 and October 31, some 3,148 people were stabbed in London, a 5.2 per cent rise on 2022.
Just 584 of the crimes have resulted in charges, a 16 per cent fall in 12 months. Offences peaked in August with 404 victims. Croydon, Lambeth and Newham were the areas most plagued by stabbings. Violent deaths of teens in London in 2023 was up from 14 the previous year but below a peak of 30 in 2021.
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Here is a list of those killed
Chima Osuji, 17
Chima Osuji (Metropolitan Police / SWNS.COM)Chima Osuji, 17, was fatally stabbed after being chased in Chingford, east London, on Easter Monday (April 10). He was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of members of the public and the 999 crews to save him. Two 16-year-old boys have been charged with murder. Friends described Chima as "kind-hearted" with one saying: "He was a good friend and very good person. Honestly out of my friends, he was the nicest. He would never ask you for anything, the most generous person. He was quiet and kept to himself."
Tyler McDermott, 17
Tyler McDermott (Met Police)Tyler McDermott, 17, died after being found with a gunshot wound in Norman Road, Tottenham, north London, on April 13. Eight people have been charged with his murder. They are: Tyrese Barnett and Leo Reid, both 19, Shernez Walters, 19, Tyrese Matthews, 20, Damaris McBeth, 19, Rhys Antwi, 19, Alfred Coker, 20, and Kalam Bagge, 18. Mr Barnett has also been charged with attempting to murder another man and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Mr Reid has also been charged with possession of an offensive weapon.
Wazabakana Elenda Jordan Kukabu, 18
Wazabakana Elenda Jordan KukabuWazabakana Elenda Jordan Kukabu, known as Jordan, 18, from Romford, was stabbed to death near Dagenham Heathway Station on May 5. A 15-year-old boy was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. Two boys aged 16 and 17, and a 20-year-old man called Michael Tommy Mgagba, from Essex, were also charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of an offensive weapon. Jordan's uncle, Michel Pongo, is a Barking and Dagenham councillor and paid tribute to his nephew the following day on Twitter, warning anyone carrying weapons to "drop your knife" and quit "before it is too late".
Renell Charles, 16
Renell Charles (Metropolitan Police)Renell Charles, 16, a pupil at Kelmscott School in Walthamstow, was allegedly ambushed before being fatally stabbed in the chest near his school on May 5. The attack, which happened close to the school shortly after the end of the day, was witnessed by other pupils. Renell was pronounced dead at the scene near the school gates. The school's "devastated" headteacher, Sam Jones, described the incident as a "a senseless knife attack". He added: "This is the darkest of days for the student's family and the Kelmscott community more broadly." A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with his murder.
Khaled Saleh, 17
Khaled Saleh (Family Handout)Khaled Saleh, 17, was found with stab wounds in Paddington Green, central London, on June 19. Khaled, a keen boxer, was found dying from a single stab wound by desperate passers-by who tried to put him in the recovery position and keep his wound compressed. The teenager was attacked about 1.40pm as he walked past the Church of St Mary in front of horrified bystanders including students at City of Westminster College which lies nearby.
His family’s eldest son, the teenager is from the Kurdish-Iraqi community and lived within a mile of the crime scene. His cousin Lena Wessan said: “His mother is really devastated. Khaled was very caring. He would do absolutely anything for his family, to protect them, make them happy and be there for them. He was a family boy, he really valued them more than anything.”
A 16-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with his murder.
Victor Lee, 17
Victor Lee (PA)Victor Lee, 17, from Ealing, west London, was found stabbed in a canal under Scrubs Lane, near Willesden Junction on June 26. He was pulled from the Grand Union Canal and declared dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination during the week found he died from stab injuries. Three teenage boys, aged 14, 15 and 17, have appeared in court charged with murder and robbery. They pleaded not guilty and will go on trial on May 7.
Leonardo Reid, 15
Leonardo Reid (Metropolitan Police / SWNS)Leonardo Reid, 15, was stabbed during a music video shoot in Elthorne Road, Archway, north London, on June 29. Klevi Shekaj, 23, was also killed Three men appeared in court in connection with their deaths. Abel Chunda, 27, was charged with two counts of murder, one of attempted murder and one of possession of an offensive weapon. Eden Clark, 29, was charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder and possession of a knife. Jason Furtardo, 26, has been charged with two counts of murder, one of attempted murder, and another of possessing an offensive weapon.
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Andre Salmon, 18
Andre Salmon (Met Police)Andre Salmon, 18, was riding a moped when he was shot in the chest in Stamford Road, Tottenham, north London, on July 3. Reagan Konin, 18, appeared in court in July charged with murder, possession of a firearm and of an offensive weapon in a private place, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and affray.
Rahaan Ahmed Amin, 16
Rahaan Ahmed Amin (Met Police)Rahaan Ahmed Amin, 16, was stabbed in the heart with a "Ninja-style" red sword in West Ham Park in Newham, East London, on July 9. He was treated at the scene following the attack and rushed to an East London hospital where he died the next day. It is alleged the attacker went to the scene on a bicycle and discarded the knife in the bushes.
The victim was said to be known to the defendant and was in the company of five others when he was attacked. Six people were arrested. One, 16, was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. A provisional two-week trial has been set for April 29.
Claudyo Jauad Lafayette, 17
Claudyo Jauad Lafayette (Met Police)Claudyo Jauad Lafayette, 17, was killed in a fight in the street following a birthday party in Granville Road, Kilburn, north west London, on July 14 Police and paramedics were called to reports of the fight at about 11.20pm. Claudyo was found injured and died at the scene. A post-mortem examination found he had died from a stab wound.
Another 17-year-old was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. A woman in her early 20s also received hospital treatment for an injury to her hand. Three 18-year-old men have were arrested and released on bail.
Stefan Valentine Balaban, 19
Stefan Valentine Balaban (Met Police)Stefan Valentine Balaban, 19, was stabbed in Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, north London, on July 28. Five teenage boys - four aged 16 and one 17, have appeared in court charged with his murder. They will go on trial at the Old Bailey on June 10.
Yusuf Mohamoud, 18
Yusuf Mohamoud, 18, was found with fatal knife injuries near a supermarket in Regent’s Park Road, Finchley, north London, on August 7. Tyrese Jennings, 20, has appeared in court charged with his murder and possession of an offensive weapon. Two 15-year-old boys also appeared at youth court charged with murder.
Anis Omar Zen, 19
Anis Omar Zen, 19, was fatally stabbed in Masefield Avenue in Stanmore, north London, on September 4. Saeed Ibrahim, 18, appeared in court in September charged with murder.
Max Moy Wheatley, 19
Max Moy Wheatley (Met Police)Max Moy Wheatley, 19, was stabbed in Jubilee Country Park close to Tent Peg Lane in Petts Wood, south-east London, on September 20. A GoFundMe page was set up on behalf of Max's mum Deborah Wheatley, which has raised more than £6,000. The page describes the teen as a "loving Son, Brother, uncle, Nephew & Friend". It adds: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Max’s Family and friends who have had their worlds turned upside down." Billy Jay Benton, 18, of Playgreen Way, Bellingham, and Arvie-Ray Mehmet, 19, of Arnulf Street, Bellingham have been charged with murder.
Elianne Andam, 15
Elianne Andam (PA)Elianne Andam, 15, was stabbed to death on her way to school in Croydon, south London, on September 27. Passers-by rushed to desperately save Elianne, who had met with female friends ahead of school, but neither they or paramedics were able to revive the girl and she was declared dead at the scene. Multiple stab wounds were identified in a special post-mortem examination.
The defendant was arrested in New Addington, South London, later the same morning. A court heard the suspect, 17, who cannot be identified due to his age, wore a mask and gloves and removed a large knife from his waistband before he stabbed the girl several times. A provisional trial date has been set for April 29.
Taye Faik, 16
Taye Faik (Met Police)Taye Faik, 16, died after he was stabbed near his home in Kendal Gardens, Edmonton, north London, in an attack by two men, on October 1. Police were called at 11.27pm to the incident, with officers attending along with ambulance staff. Taye's uncle - who has not been named - described his nephew as a "beautiful boy", adding: "All I can imagine is the look on his face as he was stabbed, I keep playing it over in my mind." Reports suggested that Taye was attacked by a pair of masked men.
Josiah James Semper, 18, of Cromie Close, Palmers Green was charged on November 17. Another man Bernard Carroll, 19, of Church Street, Winchmore Hill, was previously arrested on November 6 and later charged in relation to this incident. A 16-year-old girl, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, was released on bail. Three other people, a 20-year-old man, a 22-year-old woman and a 22-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All have been bailed.
Tafari Thompson-Mintah, 16
Tafari Thompson-Mintah (Met Police)Tafari Thompson-Mintah, 16, was killed when a car hit his moped in Sevenoaks Way, Orpington, south-east London, on October 9. He was riding a moped along Sevenoaks Way in St Paul's Cray, Orpington, when he was involved in a collision with a car at around 3.30pm. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene.
Detectives charged Justin Barton, 31, of Neasden Lane, Neasden, with the boy’s murder. Two other men, Joseph Barnes, 40, and Aaron Conway, 38, have also been charged in connection with the teenager’s death. Both men were remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on January 9.
Mehak Sharma, 19
Mehak Sharma (Met Police)Indian national Mehak Sharma, 19, was fatally stabbed in Ash Tree Way, Croydon, south London, on October 29 – weeks after moving to the UK to become a carer. She was found with a fatal neck wound at her home. Her husband Sahil Sharma, 23, appeared in court charged with her murder. He was remanded in custody to appear again at the Old Bailey on February 2.
Ms Sharma’s mother Madhu Bala revealed she had grown concerned about her daughter after losing contact with her. “Mehak used to ring me up every morning,” she said. “However, on Sunday [29 October] I did not receive any call. I thought she must be busy. However, when I did not get a call on Monday, I got panicky. I asked my relative, who lives about 150km away from Croydon, to visit Mehak. It was in the evening that he rang me and told me that the London Metropolitan Police had taken Sahil into custody after being charged with murder of Mehak.”
Simarjeet Singh Nangpal, 17
Simarjeet Singh Nangpal (Met Police)Simarjeet Singh Nangpal, 17, was stabbed to death in Burket Close, Hounslow, west London, on November 15 – after police were called to reports of a fight. Simarjeet was from the Southall area. Four men have been charged with murder. Amandeep Singh, 21, Manjit Singh, 27, Ajmeer Singh, 31, and Poran Singh, 71, were all arrested at the scene. Two of them were taken to hospital due to injuries they had sustained before officers arrived.
Ilyas Habibi, 17
Ilyas Habibi (PA)Ilyas Habibi, 17, was brutally stabbed to death on his way home from college in Sutton High Street at around 7pm on December 5. He was attacked just after leaving Sutton Station, South London, and was pronounced dead at the scene. His brother Elham Habibi, 20, said the "bloodshed must stop", adding: "It’s outrageous what is happening on the streets of London. My brother must not become just another statistic in this list of young people being struck down in their prime." No arrests related to Ilyas have been made.
Harry Pitman, 16
Harry Pitman (PA)The 16-year-old died after he was stabbed while waiting to watch the New Year's fireworks in Camden, North London, on Sunday night (December 31). His two siblings Tayla and brother Patrick have now spoken out, revealing how the youngster "did not have a bad bone in his body".
Speaking on Monday, the two siblings told movingly of how Harry's dinner was still cooking back at home whilst he was out to enjoy the celebrations before heading home for a meal, adding that their mother couldn't bear to remove it from the oven. It doesn't seem real," Tayla, 19, said from the family home in Tottenham. "I keep on expecting him to come through the front door. His dinner is still in the oven, mum can't bring herself to remove it."
Police confirmed a 16-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remained in police custody yesterday.
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