Lambeth’s top policeman has vowed to do everything he can to catch the gang members responsible for the murder of 17-year-old Kwame, as he described the gruesome details that left the talented footballer dead and another boy blind in one eye.
More than 50 people gathered at West Norwood’s old library, in Knights Hill, for the monthly gathering of the community police consultative group.
But the meeting took a more sombre tone than usual as talk turned to the series of seven violent incidents that came to a tragic head on Friday with the near-fatal stabbing on a West Norwood bus and, four hours later, the murder of Kwame, as he walked to his Aunt’s Moorlands Estate home.
Speaking about the attacks, borough police commander ch supt Matt Bell said: The two incidents may or may not be linked. I suspect they are.”
Kwame’s family are desperate for us to get justice for their son,” ch supt Matt Bell
Bell described the events in the week leading up to the murder, which were characterized by groups setting on individuals with knives and machetes, and by victims unwilling to co-operate with police despite their serious injuries.
He said that Garfield Stuart was travelling on a bus towards West Norwood bus station when he was stabbed on Friday.
He said: “He was approached on the bus by a male. There was little initial conversation, it appeared to be a specific and targeted attack.”
Members gathered at the old library gasped when he described the event in more detail.
“He was stabbed 37 times, receiving significant injuries, and is blind in one eye now.”
The borough commander told the public that they had a strong suspect who had gone to ground. He added: “We will find him and he will undoubtedly be arrested very shortly.”
Kwame, from Catford, had been at a nearby music studio with a friend when he was walking back to his Aunt’s home.
They suddenly noticed two men, walking “very purposefully” towards them and turned to run away. Although his friend escaped by climbing a wall, Kwame couldn’t scale it. He was stabbed “multiple times in a matter of seconds.” He died an hour later, in an ambulance taking him to hospital.
Bell said: This could have been anyone’s child walking through the estate.”
The completely disproportionate level of violence and the randomness of the attack was clear.”
The senior police officer warned against “sensationalising” gang culture.
“These gangs are operating outside mainstream society who believe they can behave in a way that is absolutely abhorrent to the rest of us,” he said.
“There is doubt that some young people find it sensational to be associated with it or aspire to be gang members.”
Members of the public reported a “dark and heavy” atmosphere around Brixton, Streatham Hill and West Norwood in the days and hours leading up to the murder. One man at the meeting described how he single-handedly rescued two boys from the hands of a violent gang in Leigham Court Road “I think they were going to kill them.”
Since the events a series of raids have taken place across south London, and a number of young people have been arrested. A 22-year old man has been arrested in connection with Kwame’s murder, and remains in custody today.
Detectives would like to speak to the driver of a minicab which brought a group of men to Brixton from the Lewisham area on Friday night.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
