London stabbings: Murders of two 16-year-old boys in London linked as victims named
The murders of two 16-year-old boys who were stabbed to death just a mile apart in London are linked, according to police.
The two victims have been named as Kearne Solanke and Charlie Bartolo.
Investigators are trying to trace a dark-coloured SUV type vehicle “with distinctive silver roof bars”, seen in the area in the days before and prior to the killings.
Sewell Road, Abbey Wood
The teenagers were found with stab wounds in Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead, and Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, on Saturday at around 5.10pm.
Both youths were later pronounced dead.
Detective Superintendent Richard McDonagh said: “I join the community in being saddened and outraged by these senseless murders.”
He said the boys’ families were aware and were being supported by specialist officers.
Det Supt McDonagh added: “Homicide colleagues are investigating and are treating the two murders as linked.
“I can assure everybody affected by these murders that skilled detectives will work tirelessly to discover what happened and provide answers to the young victims and families.
“Tackling violence is a priority for the Met.
“Days like today show why our work is so important and why I must ask all again for London communities to work with us and our partners so that we are doing all we can together to prevent such tragedies.”
He said: “Officers are especially keen to hear from anyone who might have seen a dark-coloured SUV or 4X4 type with distinctive silver roof bars in the areas around Sewell Road or Titmuss Avenue in the days before and prior to the murders.
“We have already heard from a number of witnesses and I’m grateful to them.”
The crime scenes remained taped off on Sunday as police continued their inquiries.
Officers later put up a cordon around a black Nissan, which was said to be a “car of interest” in the investigation.
The crime scenes remained cordoned off on Sunday
The local community have been asked for help following the tragedies
Residents in Titmuss Avenue have spoken of their dismay at the murders.
Bamidele Folorunso, who lives nearby, said: “It is very sad to lose a 16-year-old boy.”
Victor, 30, a football manager, said the stabbing was “not normal” for the area but things have been getting worse in recent years.
He said: “There is a lot of stuff going on on the street with the young kids – it’s due to the lack of youth centres.
“There is not really a place where kids say ‘this is a safe environment’.”
“I’ve got three kids. I went and told my partner (about the stabbing) and she said ‘I want to get out of here’.”
Teresa Cheshire, 50, said: “I’m frightened to let my kids outside now.
“It’s just shocking.”
Gillian Southwest, 48, who also lives on the road, said: “It is terrible. I have lived here for 28 years.
“If it’s the boy I think it is he’s a really a good boy.”
Meanwhile, detectives have launched a murder investigation after a man died following a fight on Richmond Bridge.
Police were called to the scene in southwest London at about 4am on Saturday and found a man in his early 30s with serious injuries.
The man was taken to hospital, where he died later that morning.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating after an incident involving a crossbow and a firearm left two women injured in Leeds.
Police were called to Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday to reports of a “serious incident involving a man seen with weapons”, West Yorkshire Police said.
Officers arrived at the scene to find two women injured – and a 38-year-old man with a self-inflicted injury. All three were taken to hospital, with the man held under arrest, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, which were a crossbow and a firearm,” Counter Terrorism Policing North East said in a statement.
The incident happened on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl, with one venue saying it was closed for the evening due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Officers guard one of the crime scenes
Officers inside the cordon in Leeds
Counter Terrorism Policing’s statement added: “Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.
“Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described it as a “serious violent incident” and said she was being kept updated by police.
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”
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Wrexham AFC have been promoted for the third season in a row.
The North Wales-based side has gone from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons, under its Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham were second in the table and had a run of eight games unbeaten ahead of their match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which they won 3-0.
Wrexham’s James McClean lifts the League One trophy. Pic: PA
Wrexham’s Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
It is the first time any club has been promoted for three consecutive seasons within the top five tiers of English football.
The third oldest association football club in the world, Wrexham AFC was bought by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020, and has since been the subject of a Disney+ documentary, Welcome To Wrexham.
Reynolds, wearing a Wrexham sweatshirt, and McElhenney were pictured celebrating each goal, and after the game, as the fans came onto the pitch at the SToK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) to celebrate the victory with the players.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds and Ryan’s wife Blake Lively, before the match. Pic: PA
Both stars came onto the pitch after the supporters returned to the stands.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McElhenney praised those behind the scenes, referring to “so many that don’t get the credit they deserve, people who aren’t talked about”.
Reynolds said bringing success back to the club “seemed like an impossible dream” when they arrived in North Wales in 2020.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
He put the three promotions down to “the coaching staff, the greatest dressing room” and an “all for one, one for all” attitude throughout the club, adding he was “speechless with their commitment and their emotion”.
As for the mouth-watering prospect of another promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, the pair agreed it was “for tomorrow”, before ending the interview with a joint mic-drop.
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher said, “as soon as I came to this club, I knew it was something special. We want to go again. We’ll reset in the summer, take a break and go again”.
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