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Two murder probes launched in London after men stabbed and shot overnight just 40 minutes apart
THE Met Police has launched two separate murder probes after gun and knife murders happened just forty minutes apart overnight on different sides of the capital.
In the second incident, at an unofficial park party, a man was also stabbed, but survived and has been arrested.
Residents claim the park is regularly being used for late night parties.
In the first attack a man was fatally stabbed in a pub in Ealing.
Police were called at 11:55pm on Saturday, (23 July), to a man suffering stab injuries inside a pub in Uxbridge Road.
A Met Police spokesman said: "Officers attended along with ambulance colleagues.
"The man, believed to be aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s family have been informed and they will be supported by specialist officers.
"A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be arranged in due course.
"There has been no arrest at this early stage.
"Anyone with information or any witnesses who are yet to speak with police are asked to call 101, ref 8656/23jul. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers."
Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, tweeted: "Shocked and saddened to hear of fatal stabbing of man in 50s at midnight Sat after police called to a pub in Uxbridge Road, Ealing W13. No arrests yet."
Forty minutes later police were called at around 12:35am today (Sunday, 24 July), to reports of shots fired in Cheney Row Park off Durban Road, Walthamstow, east London.
The spokesman said: "Officers attended the location along with ambulance colleagues. Cordons were put in place and a crime scene secured.
"A short time later, two people self-presented at an east London hospital.
"One of the men, aged 28 years and suffering critical gunshot injuries, died at hospital a short time later.
"His family have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers. A post-mortem examination and formal identification will be arranged in due course."
The second man, aged in his 30s, was discharged from hospital having suffered stab injuries. He has been arrested in connection with the incident and taken into custody at a London police station.
The murder investigation is led by DCI Kelly Allen of Specialist Crime.
DCI Allen said: “My heart goes out to the family of the man who has lost his life in this reckless act of violence. I can assure them of my total dedication, and that of my team, to ensuring that they get justice.
“I believe there were 50 to 100 people gathered in and around Cheney Row Park at the time of the shooting with music playing. I urgently need to speak with everyone who was at that event – even if you do not believe you saw anything significant, you need to come forward and speak with officers.
“There will have been footage and images captured at the event, and we need to see these. Please ensure that all such material is saved – we will provide a link for it to be uploaded shortly.
“To anyone considering whether or not to come forward to police, I ask you to put yourself in the position of the victim’s grieving mother and father this morning. They deserve answers.
“And whoever took a gun to a gathering like this does not deserve your protection, nor do they deserve to be free to inflict further harm on others. Please do the right thing and make contact today.”
Anyone with information or any witnesses yet to speak with police are asked to call 101, quoting reference 267/24jul.
If you do not want to speak to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name and they cannot trace your call, your IP address or the device you use.
Chief Superintendent Simon Crick who leads policing in Waltham Forest said: “This is a tragic incident and a senseless loss of life. My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family at this very difficult time.
“I also understand the concerns this incident will cause within the local community.
“I want to reassure residents that local officers will be on duty to offer re-assurance and a visible presence. Your officers will be available to speak with you should you wish to raise any concerns you may have.”
Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow posted on Facebook: "I have some very sad news to report. Overnight there has been a murder in our community. I'm sharing the police update on this and would ask that you don't speculate on this matter out of respect to this man's family.
As soon as I have further information I can share I will update residents. If you were at this event or have information about what happened I urge you come forward to help identify those responsible."
Resident Adam Ma commented on her post that unofficial parties were regularly held in the park.
He said: "I live right next to this park and it’s impossible to sleep or relax during the weekend because of the new park. "This new park was actually a good addition to the area and it was going well until people were allowed to throw parties. "This attracted new faces to the area including criminals. This was a quiet area and now it just turned to trash because of this park. "The park has no closing time and the back end is a long path that takes you to areas such as Tottenham etc. "It’s a really nice spot for criminals to do criminal activity without being seen and its easy for them to get away. "You need to start by actually having gates at the park and closing the park at certain times, and then add more street lights at the back and install proper CCTV cameras. "There’s been bad news in this area too often now and this is the reason. I can’t even leave my house."
Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, Waltham Forest Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety (above) , said: “We are in close contact with police as they investigate the tragic murder at Cheney Row Park early this morning and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased.
“While the use of firearms is thankfully a rare occurrence in Waltham Forest it is only by standing up to violence that we can bring justice to the families of those affected.
“Cheney Row Park and the surrounding roads are closed as part of a crime scene and Council officers will be active in the area next week to offer support and reassurance to the local community.