A teenager killed outside a pizza shop was stabbed to death with a ‘samurai sword’ as he tried to defend his friend from attackers, witnesses say.
The boy, 14, named locally as Fares, was killed outside the Zzetta pizza restaurant in Newham, East London, shortly before 4pm on Friday.
A friend of the victim said Fares had been attempting to protect him during a disagreement on the road in Canning Town when the fatal attack took place.
Another alleged in a deleted Instagram post that the teenager was stabbed with a ‘samurai sword’, adding: ‘That was my boy. Rest up my bro.’
It was claimed Fares was hit over the head with a metal pole during the attack, after which the attackers allegedly made off with his electric scooter.
Police and paramedics had rushed to Barking Road following reports of the stabbing yesterday afternoon, but Fares was pronounced dead at around 4.30pm.
Waiters from the nearby restaurant had rushed out and attempted to resuscitate the teenager while they waited for emergency services to arrive.
The boy, named locally as Fares, was killed outside the Zzetta pizza shop in Newham, East London, shortly before 4pm on Friday
A friend of the victim said Fares had attempted to protect him during a disagreement on the road in Canning Town ahead of the fatal attack
Speaking of the incident, a witness wrote online: ‘You died protecting me bro, where I saw you get stabbed and you dropped I looked at you bro thinking they really got him, most f****** part was they even took his scooter.
‘Rest in perfect paradise my bro, love you forever.’
The victim’s mother later arrived at the scene and fainted after learning her son had passed away, the Sun reported.
A waiter from Zzetta told MyLondon that the ‘best thing’ he had hoped for was that Fares would make it to hospital.
He said: ‘He was wearing school uniform. It was really bad.
‘We just saw somebody lying down. I was the one to call 999.’
Floral tributes have been placed around the scene today, with neighbours describing the harrowing moment paramedics scrambled to save the boy.
One woman, Lucy, said: ‘I saw the paramedics trying to resuscitate him. It was so sad. There were loads of paramedics. Armed police turned up briefly.
‘It’s a young kid it shouldn’t happen, especially in broad daylight. He was a baby. He was in school uniform.’
Fares is the 11th and youngest victim to be knifed to death in London this year.
Emergency services were called to Barking Road in East Ham, Newham, shortly before 4pm on Friday to reports of a stabbing
The victim is the eleventh and youngest teenager to be knifed to death in the capital this year
Police yesterday confirmed patrols had been stepped up in Canning Town following the shocking daylight attack.
A Met spokesman said: ‘A murder investigation has been launched following a fatal stabbing in Newham. Police were called at 3.56pm to reports of an assault in Barking Road.
‘Officers attended with medics from the London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance. They found a 14-year-old male who had been stabbed.
‘Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead shortly after 4.30pm. Efforts are under way to inform the victim’s next of kin.’
Fares is the 11th and youngest victim to be knifed to death in London this year
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the killing, adding: ‘I am in touch with the Deputy Met Commissioner and my thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.’
He urged witnesses to come forward, saying: ‘This appalling incident happened on a busy street in broad daylight, so if you saw or know anything then please don’t stay silent.’
Anyone with information is urged to contact the force on 101 quoting reference CAD 5134/23Apr.
Alternatively witnesses can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
