Teenager arrested over fatal stabbings of two 16-year-old boys in London
A community in shock lay tributes after the deaths of two London teenagers
A teenager has been arrested after two 16-year-old boys were fatally stabbed one mile apart in London.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the deaths of Kearne Solanke and Charlie Bartolo were linked after they were found with stab wounds in Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead, and Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday evening, the force said another 16-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of their murders.
Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This is a positive development in what is a complex and fast-moving investigation.
"Charlie and Kearne’s families have been informed."
Appealing for more information, DCI Blackburn added: “Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to appeal for the public’s help as we build a picture of what happened on Saturday night.
"If you have information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please come forward.”
As neighbours mourned the losses of the boys, police revealed on Sunday afternoon they are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a dark-coloured SUV-type vehicle in the area.
He added: “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 prior to the murders.
“We have already heard from a number of witnesses and I’m grateful to them.”
The Metropolitan Police were called out at around 5.10pm on Saturday to reports that people had been injured at both locations.
Both youths were pronounced dead and a murder investigation was launched.
Several teenage boys laid flowers by the cordon in Titmuss Avenue, where a forensics tent could still be seen by some knocked over dustbins. One was tearful as he placed a red love-heart balloon alongside them.
Bamidele Folorunso, a neighbour who did not give her age but lives nearby and was on the way to church, said: “It is very sad.
“We just found out the boy was on the floor and the police came and they tried to resuscitate him.”
A visibly upset Ms Folorunso said: “Since then, everyone in the area has been mourning. It is very sad to lose a 16-year-old boy.”
Victor, 30, a football manager, who says he went to school with the victim’s mother, said the stabbing was “not normal” for the area but things have been getting worse in recent years.
“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’.”
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