Two arrested after 'cheerful and caring' man in wheelchair stabbed to death in east London
Two men aged 21 and 28 have been arrested, as ITV News correspondent Neil Connery reports
Two men have been arrested after a "cheerful and caring" wheelchair user was stabbed to death in east London.
Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, was attacked on Wednesday afternoon.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at 3.38pm to reports of a fight in Rushmore Road, Clapton, and found a man with a stab injury.
He was treated by London Ambulance Service paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Thursday, bunches of flowers had been left at the scene by people who were in tears.
His sister, Simone Barnett, 45, from Hackney, said her brother was “jolly, cheerful, caring” and “he never took nothing too seriously, he laughed everything off”.
He used to live in Clapton with his mother, but according to his friends, he had moved to the Stratford area.
Ms Barnett said: “He comes around here (Clapton) all the time, everyone knew my brother – young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother. Everybody is family, he’s just that character.”
Mr Barnett's friends said he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007.
Two males, aged 28 and 21, have been arrested and a crime scene is in place, the Met said. The pair remain in custody at an east London police station.
Haken Koten, manager at nearby Costcutter, said he heard “screaming and shouting” after the stabbing.
He said: “We saw an air ambulance, everyone was screaming and shouting.”
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “Our investigation is still in the early stages and my detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what has happened this afternoon.
“If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forward and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information.
“A number of streets have been cordoned off as our investigation continues at pace and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time. The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation.”
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning
A black and grey electric wheelchair could be seen standing behind the cordon close to a forensics tent at the scene late on Wednesday evening.
The wheelchair and tent are on Overbury Street overlooked by a housing estate, with the cordon stretching onto Rushmore Road.
Large groups of people were gathered by the cordon shortly before 11pm on Wednesday as forensic staff worked.
Anyone with any information has been asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X, formerly Twitter, quoting CAD 4793/28AUG.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...