A 15-YEAR-OLD boy stabbed to death with a zombie-style knife has been pictured for the first time as tributes flood in.
The victim, who was left lying in a pool of blood in the street, has been named locally as Daejaun.
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The Met Police has launched a murder investigation after the boy – who has not been formally identified – was found with a stab injury in Eglinton Road in Woolwich, southeast London, on Sunday evening.
He died shortly after officers arrived at the scene and his next of kin has been informed.
One pal posted on social media: “Rest easy my bro.
“Forever got love for you sho.”
They added: “Rest easy boogz can’t believe ur gone I wish we acc had more memories but I remember when you me n my sister was always on ft pullin all nighters and making stop motions Tiktok while being on ft and others fly high and u will forever be missed [sic].”
A local resident, who declined to give his name but has lived in the area for 12 years, told the Mirror: “People reckon there was around three or four attackers and they jumped out of a car.
“It happens all the time around here.”
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Mum-of-three, Tasha Collins, 43, who works at a nearby school, described trying to save the teenager as he lay bleeding near her flat.
Fighting back tears, she told The Sun: “My 14-year-old said ‘mummy someone has been stabbed’.
“He had a deep gash on his head. He said ‘I’m only 15, I’m only 15’. He also had an injury to his leg.
“I put my bed sheet around him as a tourniquet. He said ‘don’t let me die’.
“I told him you are loved, don’t worry, your mum will be coming for you.
“I stroked his forehead. Your instincts kick in. I kept him alive until the paramedics came.
“I went back inside my home. When I came back out I was told ‘sorry love he didn’t make it’.
“The ambulance said you’ve done everything you can. I’m just glad I was there to comfort him.”
The mum added that as she attempted to save the stricken lad, a large knife sheath was seen on the ground.
Zombie knives banned in UK as crime surges
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry said Sunday’s stabbing in Woolwich was a “stark and sobering” reminder of the dangers of possessing weapons such as zombie-style knives.
He was speaking ahead of the Government ban, which came into force on Tuesday (September 24).
It is now illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport zombie-style knives and machetes in England and Wales.
The weapons, usually over eight inches long with serrated blades, have been linked to a surge in knife crime in recent months.
Knife crime hit record highs in eight police forces in the year up March 2024.
These included the Metropolitan Police area, where knife crime was up from the previous record of 14,680 in 2020 to 14,961.
West Midlands also saw a high of 5,266, up from 5,192 in 2023.
Data compiled by the BBC also shows the level of zombie knife crime has double over the past five years.
Another local resident, who declined to give his name but has lived in the area for 12 years, told the Mirror: “People reckon there was around three or four attackers and they jumped out of a car.
“It happens all the time around here.”
Tasha went on to say the victim was a black teenager who was the “most polite boy – he hasn’t got attitude” and she last saw him days earlier dancing in the street with his friends.
Armed police raided a property in Erlington Road shortly after the attack.
Yesterday forensic officers were still combing the scene for evidence.
No arrests have been made.
A vigil was held with floral tributes left at the scene and 50 schoolchildren gathered holding balloons.
Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry said the death served as a warning about the “danger of zombie-style knives“.
He added: “Police called to a disturbance and found 15-year-old boy with stab injuries.
“Our thoughts are with the family as they try to comprehend what happened.
“This is a stark and sobering reminder of the danger of zombie-style knives.
“We are committed to doing everything in our power to taking these weapons off the streets.”
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