A 15-year-old boy is “extremely lucky to be alive” after being stabbed in a supermarket car park in Finsbury Park.
Police were called to reports of a disturbance involving a group of people in Sainsbury’s carpark on Williamson Road, N4, on Monday at 4.32pm.
Witnesses described how 30 teenagers from two rival groups clashed with one victim slashed with a machete as customers with children looked on in horror.
A teenager was found with serious injuries and taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
A Sainsbury’s worker said: “There were about 30 boys of all races in the car park.
“They were most probably from local schools. It seemed peaceful at first but then was a fight and I saw a machete the next thing a boy was laying on the ground with a deep slash wound to his kneecap and an injury which appeared to be on his side.
“Staff and customers were looking on in horror. Some of the customers had young children with them seeing things they should not see.
“We alerted the police and customers ran out to try to help the boy. It was very distressing for everyone.”
A local resident whose flat overlooks the car park said: “There was shouting and then boys legging it all over the car park.
“I heard a scream of pain followed by ‘help’.
“There was a boy laying down and then a lot of them scattered.
“The police and ambulances were on the scene quickly and the boy in the ground looked badly injured.
“We shop there all the time it really hurts us as a community.”
A mother of three who was in the store when the stabbing took place said she had to shield her children as the violence flared.
The woman, 36, who did not want to be named, said: “There was loads of shouting and swearing outside then someone shouted ‘he’s been stabbed’. A lot of customers went to the window at the front of the shop to see what was happening but I stood in front of my kids to shield them.
“Children should not be exposed to things like this. This was in a supermarket in London in the day time. Where is safe now in London?”
A police cordon remains in place around the car park as forensic officers and detectives continue to scour the scene for clues.
Medical packs used by paramedics battling to save the life of the victim lay strewn on the ground.
The incident was captured on CCTV footage covering the car park.
Officers are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the attack to come forward.
Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a violent attack in the middle of a busy supermarket carpark.
“The young victim is extremely lucky to be alive.
“I know that the area was bustling with people at the time and I need these people to come forward to my investigation team.
“If you witnessed the disturbance or are in possession of any dashcam footage which may have captured the events I really need to hear from you as a priority. I assure you that all information will be acted upon.”
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and attempted robbery. He remains in custody.
