The family of a murdered Southwark teenager have appealed for help to find justice and stop what they called a ‘wall of silence’, writes Danny Wiser…
Latwaan Griffiths, 18, was found with knife wounds in Camberwell at about 6.55pm on Wednesday, July 25.
Detectives have released an image of a moped rider, who dumped Latwaan on Denmark Road, in the hope a member of the public may be able to identify them.
In a statement released by police, the family said: “The wall of silence continues to be reinforced in our communities, across South West London.
“Latwaan Griffiths, our loved one was stabbed to his death in the early evening of 25.07.2018, in circumstances that are yet to be known.
“We know that you know something that can help us put the pieces together.”
Latwaan’s murder, until last night, was the latest death in Southwark, as knife crime reaches epidemic proportions across London.
In Camberwell, on Warham Street at about 7.21pm last night (August 1, 2018) , just streets away from where Latwaan was dumped just over one week ago, three men were stabbed.
One of the victims, a 23-year-old man has died and two others aged sixteen and 31, were taken to a south London hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers have since arrested two men, aged nineteen and eighteen, close to the scene on suspicion of murder.
Just under two week’s before Latwaan’s murder on July 12, seventeen-year-old Katrina Makunova was stabbed to death in Brisbane Street, Camberwell. A 21-year-old man was arrested, charged with manslaughter and remains in custody.
In their statement Latwaan’s family said they wanted peace, adding that until people come forward ‘ there is nothing stopping you from being the next victim of a knife or gun crime’:
“We want the speculation to end, we want the violence to end, we want justice, but we also need peace,” they said.
“We as a family are broken, we are riddled with heartache, we will never be the same.
“We want to put Latwaan to rest, but we cannot do that unless you help us with this murder inquiry.”
“We know that nothing we do collectively as a family or community can bring Latwaan back to life,” said the family, “but what we do know is that his murderer is still out there, and there is nothing stopping you from being the next victim of a knife or gun crime.”
Any witnesses or anyone with information should contact the Homicide and Major Crime Command on 020 8721 4205 or call 101 quoting CAD 6605/25 July.
Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.