This is the first picture of a teenager hacked to death after being chased through the streets by youths “armed with machetes”.
Tributes have poured in for the 19-year-old victim, named locally as Andre, who was knifed in the Monks Hill estate in Selsdon, Croydon at 7.40pm last night.
Friends described the amateur rapper as the “nicest boy” and a “peacemaker”.
One said: “Andre was the nicest boy and would do anything to help you. He helped when boys came on to the estate to cause trouble and he was a peacemaker.
“I think he moved away to make a fresh start and not to bring trouble to his mother’s door but was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Dozens of people paid tribute to the victim on Twitter.
Tony Brady, wrote: “I’m sorry you had to go so soon, I will cherish some great memories.”
Another tweeted: “It just goes to show how surprising and harsh life can be.”
The teenager was airlifted to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Witnesses described horrific scenes leading up to his death.
Rebecca Shaw, 18, said: “Andre’s mother came running down the road. He was on the floor screaming out for her. I heard the screams and lots of people came running to him. They tried to give him CPR and put pressure on the wounds.”
One said: “I saw Andre running for his life and three others were coming up behind him. They were just chasing him and not shouting. They chased him behind a row of shops. I called the police, as I knew if they got to him he’d be done.
“They were armed with machetes about a foot long. I was told Andre was stabbed 20 times. He used to live around here but moved away. He was back for a visit with his family yesterday.”
The victim is the eighth teenager to be stabbed to death in the capital this year.
The Met said there had been no arrests and appealed for information as the Homicide and Major Crime Command investigation continues.
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