A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of two boys were fatally stabbed in Greenwich.
Metropolian Police and paramedics found the 16-year-old victims, each with stab wounds, in separate locations around a mile apart just after 5pm on Saturday.
One boy was found on Sewell Road, Abbey Wood and the second on Titmuss Avenue in Thamesmead.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency service, both sadly died.
They have since been named as Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke.
On Monday morning, the Met confirmed detectives have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of their murders.
Det Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This is a positive development in what is a complex and fast-moving investigation. Charlie and Kearne’s families have been informed.
“Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to appeal for the public’s help as we build a picture of what happened on Saturday night. If you have information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please come forward.”
Earlier, Det Supt Richard McDonagh, from the South East Command Unit which includes Greenwich, said: “Tackling violence is a priority for the Met. Days like [Saturday] show why that work is so important, and why I must again ask all of London’s communities to work with us, and our partners, so that we are doing all that we can together to prevent such tragedies.
“We have already heard from a number of witnesses, and I am grateful to them for getting in touch and providing information to police.
“Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a dark coloured SUV or 4x4 type vehicle with distinctive silver roof bars in the areas around Sewell Road or Titmuss Avenue in the days before, and prior to the murders.”
The victims’ families continue to be supported by specialist officers, while many have paid tribute to the teenage victims.
Flowers, soft toys, balloons and emotional messages have been left near the cordon at the two crime scenes, while loved ones cried and hugged as they visited the sites on Sunday.
Charlie’s initials, CB, have been spelled on the ground using tealight candles. One note read: “Far too young to be taken. RIP Charlie.”
Another read: “ To Charlie. RIP boy. Never to be forgotten, always in our hearts.” Another mourner, Bob, wrote a note to Charlie attached to flowers saying “can’t believe your gone”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan described the loss of the two young men as “devastating”.
In a tweet on Sunday he said: “Violent crime destroys lives and tears communities apart and I will continue doing everything I can to stamp it out. I’m in regular contact with the Met Commissioner and I know officers are working at pace to investigate these terrible incidents.”
