A young man who was stabbed to death in an east London park opposite a school he was on his way to a shop’ when he was ambushed, his friends told Metro.
The victim, in his 20s, was described as a ‘chill guy’ and a ‘good family man’.
He was declared dead in Hackney Downs Park following the attack at around 1.45pm on Monday.
A friend who visited the crime scene said: ‘I am confused by this. He was just a cool guy, a very nice person.
“When we were younger we used to live in the same property and he would help the old people do their shopping and things like that.
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“He had a job working nights and I’m told he was going to the store by himself when he was attacked. It just doesn’t add up.
“He’s a family man, great with his mum and brother. I’m absolutely shocked and upset. It’s scary out there.’
A coroner’s tent marks the spot where the victim died as a police cordon cuts off part of Hackney Downs Park Road.
Meanwhile, parents at a school just yards from the crime scene spoke of their ‘absolute horror’ after the lunchtime attack.
Pupils at Mossbourne Community Academy regularly walk through the park on their way home after the final bell.
Stormont School for Special Needs also overlooks the crime scene.
A parent in Mossbourne, who was separated for WINE vacation last week, said subway: ‘My reaction is absolute horror.
Children walk through the park and play there after school. Nothing happened to any of the children, thank God, because it’s the holidays – but it’s a big shock.
‘I noticed in the hot WEATHERthe atmosphere in the park has changed with large groups of young people who are quite intimidating.’
Another said: ‘My kids use the park all the time. It’s heartbreaking someone has died and it’s very upsetting for us.
“We’re told there are no arrests, so the killer is still out there somewhere.
“Obviously it was the holidays so our kids weren’t at school, but it makes us feel unsafe.”
A member of staff at the school said: ‘The school was broken for holidays so (no pupils) were here. The staff who were here did not find out about the incident until the end of the day.’
Forensic officers are at the scene while detectives are analyzing security camera footage from around the area.
No arrests have yet been made and police are sending additional units around the area.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Our investigation remains in the early stages and officers are working hard to identify those responsible.”
“Police will remain in the area overnight as our inquiries continue, and I would encourage anyone with any information to contact us.”
Hackney Downs remained open today as investigators worked at the scene, watched by families and dog walkers.
Parents Marsha and Jordan were there with their little daughter.
Marsha, 41, said subway: ‘This is very disturbing, we come here a lot. The man who died was not a teenager, but he was young; he had not lived life yet.
“It’s very worrying for families. I’ve got two young sons too so this kind of thing is something that affects me. Knife use is the thing that has changed since I was young.
“I grew up near what they called Hackney’s Mile, but I think things are worse now.”
Gideon Pecoraro said: ‘I’m having a baby soon and this is the park we use. It’s terrible.
“I’m a big fan of the area, but this is very concerning.”
Dog walker Jess Aldritch, 26, said subway: ‘It is a wonderful park and it is shocking what has happened. A friend of mine was at the park yesterday when it all started.
“You just don’t expect something like this to happen during the day. The park was full of families, joggers and people with dogs.
“My friend told me people had run away from the police and there was a bit of panic.”
Detective Chief Constable Brittany Clarke, who leads policing for the area, said: “We understand that this incident took place close to a school in broad daylight, which will be extremely distressing for local residents.
“We do not believe this involves any students at the school and are treating this as an isolated incident.
“We will continue to update the community when we have the opportunity.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org
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