Scotland Yard has launched a murder investigation following the fatal stabbing of a 26-year-old man yesterday in the centre of Peckham.
Local police were called at 3.15pm to Blenheim Grove, at the junction with Rye Lane.
Eyewitnesses yesterday told the News the victim had been arguing with another man for about fifteen minutes, before crowds tried to split the two up.
It is understood that the victim received at least one stab wound to the chest.
London Ambulance Service paramedics and police arrived “after a few minutes”, according to one eyewitness. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene at 3.51pm, and police say his next of kin have been informed.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place later today (April 29).
No arrests have been made.
In an appeal for witnesses, detective chief Inspector Dave Whellams of Homicide and Major Crime Command said: “We are still trying to piece together the events that led to the victim tragically losing his life.
“The incident drew a large crowd of onlookers who were on the street and in shops nearby at the time the incident happened.
“We are aware that a number of members of the public were filming the incident on their mobile phones and I would like to appeal directly to any of those people that have recorded footage to contact the police as soon as possible.
Among the crowds gathered around the police cordon yesterday, a man in his twenties who did not want to be named, said: “I couldn’t see them fighting but I could see bare people crowded around them.
“Loads of women came out of the salons. A lot of people were shouting.”
Mr Khan of Khan’s Bargains in Rye Lane told the News: “I didn’t see the actual fight, but I saw men from the car garage next to Bar Story were holding the boy after he was stabbed.
“He was holding the boy’s chest before the police came. The police came after a few minutes. I heard he was stabbed twice.”
Another Rye Lane shopkeeper told of seeing the two arguing for about fifteen minutes. He did not witness the stabbing itself but it is understood that while both men were being held back – as people realised what was about to happen – one of the men broke loose and stabbed the victim.
A police cordon ran the length of Blenheim Grove to establish the crime scene.
A blue tent was erected at the scene, outside JFS Exclusive Furniture and Wintana Beauty Salon in Blenheim Grove.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8244 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Another crime in Peckham, how are people suppose to feel safe