Murder inquiry after youth killed

The 15-year-old was found with fatal stab wounds in Invermore Place, Woolwich, south-east London on Tuesday.

Officers were called to the scene on Tuesday afternoon. It is thought the victim was involved in a row with a group before he died.

Police said they had an open mind about a motive for the killing.

2008 TEENAGE LONDON MURDERS

• 1 January: Henry Bolombi, 18, stabbed to death
• 5 January: Faridon Alizada, 18, stabbed to death
• 21 January: Boduka Mudianga, 18, stabbed to death
• 26 January: Fuad Buraleh, 19, beaten to death
• 19 February: 15-year-old stabbed to death

A Met spokeswoman said: "At this early stage it is believed the male may have been in an altercation with a group of black males prior to receiving his injuries."

Paul Whisker, who called the emergency services, said he had found the boy bleeding heavily when he was on his way home.

He said that he and another member of the public had tried to stem the bleeding before the emergency services arrived.

The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

'Deadly' area

Witnesses spoke of how they saw up to four youths running from the scene after the attack.

Other residents said the estate was "deadly" and there had been a series of serious incidents in recent weeks.

But Mr Whisker, who has lived in the are for 19 years, added: "It is normally quite good around here, this is the worst we've had around this area."

A large area has been cordoned off around the scene, between Invermore Place and Villas Road, with forensic examiners working in a tent erected over where the boy died.

A post-mortem examination of the victim's body is yet to be carried out.

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