The teenager stabbed to death during a fight in south east London on Tuesday evening has been named by police as Jay Sewell, 18, as five are held over his murder.
Jay, of Welling, Kent, was attacked in Lee near Lewisham around 9.50pm before being taken to hospital where he died – making him the 125th murder victim in the capital this year.
A man and a woman in their 50 are among those arrested on suspicion of his murder. A 22-year-old man, 29-year-old woman, and a 31-year-old man have also been arrested.
The teenager stabbed to death during a fight in south east London on Tuesday evening has been named as Jay Sewell, 18
Detectives from The Met’s homicide and major crime command, led by Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, are investigating.
DCI Harding said: “We are at the very early stages of our investigation into this tragic murder.
“We urgently need to hear from anyone who saw what happened in Alwold Crescent.
“We have already spoken to a number of people as part of our initial enquiries, but we would like to hear from anyone who lives near the scene who saw anything that might assist our investigation to contact us.
“Did you see either group going to and from the scene? Did you see the fight? Perhaps you saw something after the incident that in retrospect may be linked.
“We would urge you to get in touch right away.”
Another 18-year-old male, of Kent, also suffered stab injuries in the incident and was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.
Police were called to reports of armed youths in the street.
Scotland Yard said: ‘Detectives investigating the murder of an 18-year-old male in Greenwich can now name the victim as Jay Sewell, 18, from Kent.
‘Jay was attacked at Alwold Crescent, Lee, at around 9.50pm on Tuesday, 11 December.
‘Officers attended. A short while later Jay and a second male, also aged 18, attended a south London hospital suffering from stab injuries.
‘Jay sadly died in hospital. His family has been informed.
‘We await the findings of a post-mortem examination.
‘The second male was treated in hospital and has since been discharged. His injuries were not deemed to be life threatening or life changing.
The murder tally in the capital is the largest number in a calendar year since 2009, when there were 131.
In 2018 there have been 72 deaths involving a knife, 13 involving a gun, one involving a knife and a gun and one a crossbow.
Just over a third of victims, 44, were aged 16 to 24, of whom 10 were shot, 32 were stabbed and one was killed in an attack involving a knife and gun.
Twenty-five of the victims were aged 19 and under, six of whom were shot and 16 of whom were stabbed.
Earlier this month Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick insisted the tide was turning against knife and gun offences, although she admitted it would take time to tackle the 180 violent gangs in London who drag children into crime.
The force released figures that showed in September, October and November this year there were 176 fewer victims of knife crime with injury aged under 25 than in the same three months in 2017, a 31 per cent reduction.
It comes after Aron Warren, 18, was found with fatal wounds at a flat in Greenwich, south east London, last Saturday night following reports of a stabbing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: ‘While we continue to work to piece together the events that led to Aron’s murder, I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Topham House in Prior Street from around 9:15pm on Saturday to contact police.
‘We believe Aron was attacked inside the flat where he was residing in Topham House so I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who let someone into the building prior to the murder or who saw anyone fleeing the scene.’
Police cordon off the road in Lee, south-east London, today as they investigate the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old male
Officers investigate in Lee, south-east London, where an 18-year-old has been stabbed to death in the capital’s 125th killing this year
Earlier this month Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick insisted the tide was turning against knife and gun offences, although she admitted it would take time to tackle the 180 violent gangs in London who drag children into crime.
The force released figures that showed in September, October and November this year there were 176 fewer victims of knife crime with injury aged under 25 than in the same three months in 2017, a 31 per cent reduction.
It comes after Aron Warren, 18, was found with fatal wounds at a flat in Greenwich, south east London, last Saturday night following reports of a stabbing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: ‘While we continue to work to piece together the events that led to Aron’s murder, I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Topham House in Prior Street from around 9:15pm on Saturday to contact police.
‘We believe Aron was attacked inside the flat where he was residing in Topham House so I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who let someone into the building prior to the murder or who saw anyone fleeing the scene.’
Police are investigating in Lee, south-east London, today after a teenager was stabbed to death in the capitals 125th killing since January
Officers have cordoned off a road in Lee, south-east London, as they were today pictured investigating the death of an 18-year-old male
A 17-year-old lad arrested in connection with Aron’s murder has since been released, and police say he will face no further action.
A total of 26 teenagers were murdered in London last year, the most since 2008, 20 of whom were fatally stabbed.
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