A 21-year-old man has died after being stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival, the Metropolitan Police said, adding that more than 200 arrests were made during the event.
Takayo Nembhard, 21, was found underneath the Westway in Ladbroke Grove at 8pm on Monday.
The drill rapper, who used the moniker TKorStretch, had travelled from Bristol to enjoy the annual event that saw millions attend over the Bank Holiday.
His manager Chris Patrick, based in south London, paid tribute to his protege on Twitter.
Takayo Nembhard AKA TKorStretch.
— Rockizm Producer (@ChrisPatrick1) August 30, 2022
Talent was endless, he was close to greatness!
With a heavy heart I bring the news that (TKorStretch) passed away last night 💔
My deepest condolences to TK’s family He was a good kid, what happened breaks my heart
Rest in peace my Friend 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/vvFnkOtkDi
A police statement said: “At around 8pm on Monday, August 29 officers became aware of a stabbing in Ladbroke Grove, under the Westway flyover.
“Officers provided emergency first aid to the victim – a 21-year-old man – until the arrival of London Ambulance Service paramedics.
Regrettably, on Monday evening we saw a number of violent incidents including one in which a 21-year-old man was killed.
— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) August 30, 2022
Homicide detectives are leading an investigation to identify those responsible. Anyone with information is urged to come forward. https://t.co/BIB0lcEW1R
“They were able to extract him through significant crowds in challenging circumstances to a waiting ambulance.
“He was taken to a west London hospital where, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead.
“His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he has been left “sickened” by the “awful attack” as he urged anyone with information come forward.
“Violence has no place on our streets and we are doing everything in our power to root it out,” he wrote on Twitter.
He added: “I urge anyone with information to contact the police on 101 or anonymously by @CrimestoppersUK. There is no honour in staying silent.”
I am sickened by this awful attack. Violence has no place on our streets and we are doing everything in our power to root it out.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) August 30, 2022
I urge anyone with information to contact the police on 101 or anonymously by @CrimestoppersUK. There is no honour in staying silent. https://t.co/5jO9g0qkHU
Shocking video shows police keeping the carnival crowd back from where the victim was getting first aid under the Westway.
One woman shouts through the police line: “He’s just a child. Why would they do that?”
Witness Brian Stovell told The Standard: “I knew by the amount of blood that he wasn’t going to make it.
“Most people in the crowd were caught up in the movement and vibe of the carnival.”
He said two women were amongst the officers trying to save him: “There was one woman putting on surgical gloves but she was a civilian. And another woman in distress was in the circle - it looked like she had been with him.”
Regrettably, on Monday evening we saw a number of violent incidents and a 21-year-old man has lost his life
Scotland Yard said “a number of violent incidents and serious stabbings” prompted a section 60 order to be put in place until 1am on Tuesday within the event’s borders.
Police said 209 arrests had been made by early Tuesday, including 46 for assault, 36 for possession of drugs, 33 for possession of an offensive weapon, 27 public order offences and eight sexual assaults.
There were 35 arrests the force labelled “other”, 10 for possession of psychoactive substances, seven for drink/drug driving, five for criminal damage and one each for theft and robbery.
Police Horse Sandown, a 14-year-old chestnut gelding, had policed “all types of events” across London during his seven years of service since being presented to the force in 2015.
There was also a birth at the carnival although it is not known if the mother was a local resident or visiting the spectacle.
A London Ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.45pm on Sunday August 28 to reports of a person in labour within the footprint of Notting Hill Carnival.
“We treated an adult and baby at the scene and took them to hospital as a priority.”
Dr Alison Heydari, Commander of Local Policing, said early on Tuesday: “Officers from across the Met have been working tirelessly over the past two days to ensure that all those who came to Notting Hill Carnival could enjoy the experience safely.
“It was the culmination of months of close coordination with the organisers, our local authority and emergency service partners and the community.
“The atmosphere over the past two days has been largely positive and good natured as carnival should be.
“Regrettably, on Monday evening we saw a number of violent incidents and a 21-year-old man has lost his life.
“Our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with their terrible loss.
“A murder investigation is under way, led by homicide detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
“They will pursue every possible line of inquiry to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Dr Heydari added: “There were hundreds of people in the immediate vicinity when this incident took place.
“I would urge anyone who saw anything, who has video footage or who has any other information that could assist officers, to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact the police directly on 101 providing the reference 7478/29AUG. Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
It comes after a police association claimed at least 34 Metropolitan Police officers were assaulted at the Notting Hill Carnival.
The Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents more than 30,000 officers in London, complained that “nothing changes” as they bemoaned the lack of protection given to officers during the event.
They also claimed that officers “dread policing” Notting Hill due to the constant attacks they face at the festival.
