Terrified neighbours told how their south west London street was turned into a “war zone” as a horror triple stabbing left a young man dead.
A murder investigation is under way after police, paramedics and an air ambulance were scrambled to the scene on Wandsworth Road, between Clapham and Battersea, around 4am on Sunday following reports of an attack.
Three men were found suffering stab wounds.
One 24-year-old male was declared dead at the scene and two more in their 20s were taken to hospital.
Detectives have informed the deceased’s next of kin who are being supported by specialist officers.
Formal identification has not yet taken place and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course.
Locals described hearing shouting and cars revving as the attack unfolded in the middle of the night.
A mother-of-three, 56, said: “I heard some shouting and just thought it was drunks but then the volume increased and there were cars revving. It was scary. I looked out and there were people running.
“It was chaos. I wouldn’t have dared to do out there. When I heard someone was dead I felt sick. Someone literally died on our doorstep. What a waste. My heart goes out to his family.”
A second neighbour said: “Police arrived in loads of cars it was very dramatic. There were paramedics around and a few injured scattered on the ground. It was like a war zone.”
Forensics experts were at the scene on Monday trawling for clues.
Meanwhile detectives were scouring CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage as part of the investigation.
Officers were also carrying out door-to-door inquiries.
The Metropolitan Police said they were called “to reports of a large group fighting with knives in Wandsworth Road”.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Payne, leading the Specialist Crime Command murder probe, said: “One man has lost his life and two others have been treated in hospital for their injuries.
“My team has been working around the clock to establish what happened and our enquiries remain ongoing.
“I am today appealing for anyone who was in the area of Wandsworth Road in the early hours of Sunday to come forward and speak with us. It is possible that you may have seen something that can help us identify those responsible.
“I would also ask that people check their dash cam or any private CCTV to see if you captured any part of the attack, or anyone running away.”
“Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, a man in his 20s, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene,” said a Met spokesperson on Sunday evening. “Officers are working to inform his next of kin.”
Two other victims - both also aged in their 20s - have been taken to hospital for treatment.
One was treated for injuries that were not deemed to be life threatening. The other victim remains in hospital with serious injuries.
No arrests have yet been made.
An investigation is ongoing, and a crime scene remained in place on Sunday evening into Monday afternoon.
A section of Wandsworth Road, between Queenstown Road and Lambourn Road, was shut. The closure has forced the diversion of three bus routes in the area.
Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, who is in charge of policing in Lambeth, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the young man who has lost his life in the most tragic of circumstances.
“We are working closely with our colleagues to ensure that arrests are made as quickly as possible.
“I know the local community will be shocked by these events. You can expect to see officers in the area and I would encourage anyone with concerns, or information, to please speak with them.”
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 4.07am today (Sunday, September 29) to reports of a stabbing incident in Wandsworth Road.
“We sent a number of resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, paramedics in fast response cars, an advanced paramedic, an incident response officer and London’s Air Ambulance.
“Our crews treated three people at the scene. Sadly, despite the best effort of emergency services, one person died at the scene. One person was conveyed to a major trauma centre and another was conveyed to hospital.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 1169/29SEP.
