A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death inside a council headquarters and library in north London.
Officers rushed to Brent Civic Centre, home to Brent Council, on Engineers Way, at around 2.30pm on Tuesday following reports of a stabbing.
Staff in the building were evacuated as London’s Air Ambulance was dispatched to the scene as part of the emergency response.
Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from stab wounds, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim was named on Wednesday by the Metropolitan Police as David Wynter, 17.
Formal identification has yet to take place, but the victim is believed to be David, police said.
His next-of-kin are being supported by specially trained officers.
Some staff, residents and visitors saw the fatal attack take place, with reports suggesting the incident took place in the library.
Officers cordoned off the Brent Civic Centre, near Wembley Stadium after the incident. Around 15 emergency vehicles could be seen stationed outside.
Video footage shows a large emergency presence at the scene, as passersby and members of staff gather around the entrance.
One eyewitness wrote on social media: “I was at the exact same place where the stabbing happened and had gone up to the first floor about ten minutes earlier.
“A staff member walked into the meeting room and told us to evacuate because someone had been stabbed. What I witnessed on the way down was unreal.”
Following the incident, a Section 60 order was authorised, granting officers enhanced powers to stop and search people and vehicles, Met Police said.
This applies to the Wembley Park, Barnhill, Tokyngton, Stonebridge, Roundwood, Dollis Hill, Willesden and Welsh Harp ward areas of Brent.
The order runs until 3:30am on Thursday, 27 August.
Superintendent Chris Clarke, lead for emergency response policing in the area, said: “This was a tragic incident, and we are aware of the significant concern the stabbing has caused in the local community. A police presence remains in and around the crime scene.
“We would like to reiterate that officers do not believe there is any wider risk to the community.”
He said earlier: “In light of the incident, we have authorised additional stop and search powers to help prevent further violence, support our investigation, and keep people safe.
“There will be an increased police presence in and around the area in the coming hours while our officers continue their investigation.”
An LAS spokesperson said: “We were called at 2:25pm to reports of a stabbing at Brent Civic Centre, Wembley, HA9.
“We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars and an incident response officer.
“We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
“Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a patient was pronounced dead at the scene”.
Commenting on the incident on Tuesday Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Today, Brent has been shaken by an appalling and deeply tragic incident at the Civic Centre, in which a person has lost their life.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, their family and loved ones, as well as the staff, residents and visitors who witnessed what happened.
“The Civic Centre has been evacuated and will remain closed until further notice. I would urge people to avoid the area and allow the police and emergency services to carry out their work.
“There is an active police investigation underway - please do not speculate or repeat any unverified claims online.
“We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police and will provide further updates as soon as we are able.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the police, paramedics and emergency services for their swift response, and to our staff for the professionalism, compassion and calm they have shown today in the most difficult of circumstances.”
Brent Councillor Anton Georgiu wrote on X: “I am disturbed and saddened by this news. My heart goes out to the victim and their loved ones. Thinking also of staff and visitors to @BrentCouncil who witnessed what happened today.”
A spokesperson for the Brent Conservatives said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the fatal stabbing at Brent Civic Centre today. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victim’s family and loved ones and everyone affected by this tragedy. We thank the emergency services for their response.”
Anybody with information is urged to call 101, quoting reference 4032/25AUG.
