The two teenage boys who were both stabbed to death in a linked tragedy just one mile from one another have been named.
The 16-year-old boys, named by police today as Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke, were stabbed in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead, South East London.
Officers previously announced that the two deaths were linked after the tragedy that took place yesterday evening. They are now hunting for evidence linked to the incident.
Mr Bartolo was stabbed on Swell Road in Abbey Wood while Mr Solanke was knifed on Titmuss Avenue yesterday. Their families have been told and are being supported by specialist officers.
There has been an outpouring of tributes to Charlie Bartolo, one of the dead, with one loved one posting a number of emotional tributes online.
One read: "Rest in peace my beautiful angel. You was taken way to soon I miss you forever and always your my whole world. See you again soon my baby".
Another similarly emotional tribute said: "I love you brother, I miss you so much I said I was gonna come see you this weekend. I’ll make sure to see you soon, you’ll be missed by many!
"We had so many memories and so much laughs, you playing football and stacking it, jumping in the lake and I nearly drowned and you had to save me but you couldn’t swim yourself, me coming to your house everyday without a doubt.
"You always looked after me when I was ill, always checked in on me when I had covid, was there for me whenever I was upset, our random 10 hour FaceTime calls ... there’s so many more char I’ll always remember you! I love you, Rest In Peace".
Police revealed they are looking to hear from anyone who saw a dark SUV four by four vehicle with ‘distinctive silver roofing’ that was spotted near both scenes in the days leading up to and prior to both murders.
Police were called at 5.10pm last night to reports both young men had been stabbed. Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to save either and they both died from their wounds.
Speaking at the scene on Titmuss Avenue, Detective Superintendent Richard McDonagh said: ‘’This is an extremely sad day for all of us who live and work in Greenwich.
‘’Police are investigating the tragic murders of two teenage boys. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families, friends and with local people.
‘’We are both shocked and appalled by what has happened. I join the community in being deeply sad and outraged by these senseless murders.
‘’Their families are both aware and we ask for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time. Specialist officers will ensure they are given support.
‘’I can assure everybody affected by these murders that detectives will work relentlessly to discover what happened. Tackling violence is a priority for the Met.
‘’We have heard from a number of witnesses and we are grateful to them for getting in touch. I am appealing for any other witnesses to come forward so we can speak to those who maybe able to offer some information.’’
Bamidele Folorunso, a neighbour who lives nearby and was on the way to church said: “It is very sad. We just found out the boy was on the floor and the police came and they tried to resuscitate him.”
A visibly upset Ms Folorunso said: “Since then, everyone in the area has been mourning. It is very sad to lose a 16-year-old boy.”
Victor, 30, a football manager, who says he went to school with the victim’s mother, said the stabbing was “not normal” for the area but things have been getting worse in recent years.
“There is a lot of stuff going on on the street with the young kids – it’s due to the lack of youth centres. There is not really a place where kids say ‘this is a safe environment’.”
“I’ve got three kids. I went and told my partner (about the stabbing) and she said ‘I want to get out of here’.”
Teresa Cheshire, 50, who also lives on the road, said her children walk down the road every day. She said: “I just saw a lot of people by the bin shed. All I heard was the screaming and that was at 5.20pm.
“It is scary because it is all the press and everything but it is for all the wrong reasons. I’m frightened to let my kids outside now. It’s just shocking.”
Gillian Southwest, 48, who also lives on the road, said: “It is terrible. I have lived here for 28 years. If it’s the boy I think it is he’s a really a good boy."
A 32-year-old man, who did not wish to be named but lived on the road all his life, said he was waiting for an ambulance for his grandmother when a commotion began.
“I heard some noise at about 6 o’clock – the bins were all rattling. There are always some kids running through making noise but something like this is out of the ordinary. To hear something like this in this area is shocking.”
