Teenager stabbed in street in 'revenge' attack

The 19-year-old youth was knifed through the heart outside shops in Silver Street, Edmonton - less than two miles from where 17-year-old Henry Bolombi was fatally stabbed by a gang on New Year's Day.

He is the third teenager to be killed this year, fuelling fears that youth violence in London is growing. Last year 27 teenagers were murdered.

Horrified shoppers looked on as the two youths were attacked yesterday, moments before pupils from a nearby school finished lessons for the day.

Witnesses described a group of up to 10 youths involved in a fight before the two fell to the ground.

The 19-year-old died slumped next to a car and the second teenager, believed to be 18, collapsed on the pavement. He was taken to a north London hospital where he is believed to be in a stable condition. Paramedics attempted to treat the 19-year-old but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives are investigating the possibility that the attack was carried out in revenge for the murder of Bolombi, who was stabbed to death by a gang after getting off a bus in Fore Street, Edmonton.

The 17-year-old was known by the street name "Black H" and had a criminal record for knife robberies.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The circumstances of the latest attack are unclear but we are not ruling anything out. Both occurred in Edmonton - it is early to say but I can understand the connection." Today three teenagers were being questioned by police after being arrested in connection with the crime.

Residents living near the scene said the street was "notoriously violent". One man, who asked not to be named, said the 19-year-old was stabbed with a large knife.

He said: "The knife had gone straight through his heart. It has something to do with the Edmonton stabbing a few weeks ago. It is all gang-related round here."

Another resident, Aggrippa Gakanje, 30, said the victims were thought to be members of a gang known as the "123" gang.

He said: "There are a lot of gangsters round here - it is frightening."

A number of streets were sealed off by police last night as forensic teams conducted a torchlight search.

The murder came days after senior officers at Scotland Yard tried to play down the involvement of gangs in the rising teenage murder toll.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.