Walthamstow stabbing: Boy knifed to death outside school is 150th teen to be murdered in London on Sadiq Khan’s watch
TRIBUTES are pouring in for a boy who was knifed to death as another teen has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Renell Charles, 16, died on Friday – becoming the 150th teen to be murdered in London on Sadiq Khan‘s watch.
Emergency services raced to Kelmscott School on Markhouse Road around 4pm but Renell was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
A post mortem found he died of a stab wound to the chest.
A teen, 16, was arrested on suspicion of murder this morning and remains in police custody.
The teen’s death comes after two men were shot in east London yesterday in another night of bloodshed.
The school’s “devastated” headteacher, Sam Jones, confirmed that Renell was a pupil there.
He said in a statement: “A Kelmscott student was tragically killed in a senseless knife attack.
“This is the darkest of days for the student’s family and the Kelmscott community more broadly.”
In a separate statement released through Waltham Forest Council, Mr Jones added: “I cannot overstate how devastated I am by today’s senseless violence and I am sure the Kelmscott community shares my grief and sadness.
“Kelmscott is a large and tight-knit family and this loss will be felt for a long time to come.
“I urge our community to remain respectful of the victim’s family and the police investigation.
“We will be offering counselling and support to pupils affected by this tragedy.”
Councillor Grace Williams, Leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: “A 16 year-old boy has died senselessly in our borough.
“Nobody should have to deal with the loss of somebody so young and my heart goes out to the family and friends of the deceased.
“Their loss is our loss. The people of Waltham Forest and beyond will be shocked by this senseless act.”
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers has outlined his appeal to the public, saying: “The arrest marks a significant development as part of our work. Renell’s family have been informed and our specially trained officers continue to provide them with support.
“This is a fast-moving investigation and we are aware that this brutal attack took place near a school, and was witnessed by many bystanders and young people.
“My thoughts are with them as they come to terms with seeing such an act of violence unfold and I would ask anyone with footage or images to do the right thing and send them into my team of detectives.
“If you wish to submit images or footage anonymously, please share via Crimestoppers, or you can contact the Major Incident Room where one of my team will be able to take your call. You can also share the images via the Public Portal.
“We also know that there was heavy traffic on Markhouse Road at that time of day and we think there is a strong chance some people will have dash cam footage.
“Please review what you have and send anything that may assist the investigation without delay. A young boy has lost his life and evidence such as this can contribute to securing justice for his family and friends.”
It comes just days after four people were stabbed to death in separate incidents across the country on the eve of the coronation.
Three of the killings were within eight hours in East London, as the capital’s knife crime epidemic showed no sign of abating.
Two teenagers, including a boy of 16 ambushed outside his school, were among the victims, along with a young man stabbed outside a McDonald’s in Bath.
On the same day a man was rushed to hospital after he was shot in the back.