Greenwich stabbing: family tell of devastation after teenager is stabbed to death

The family of a teenager stabbed to death in south London today spoke of their devastation as police launched a manhunt for his killers.

The 18-year-old, who police named as Aron Warren, was found collapsed with knife wounds in a flat at a housing block in Greenwich at about 9.40pm on Saturday. He was pronounced dead 40 minutes later.

Aron is the 23rd teenager to be murdered in London so far this year.

Last night friends gathered to lay flowers and candles in the shape of “A1” outside Topham House, which was sealed off and guarded by police officers.

His aunt Anne Marie Murray, who runs a guest house in Jersey, said the teenager - who was also known locally as Aron Murray - was a talented artist.

She told the Standard: “It’s devastating. We’re all gutted for the whole family across the globe, in Jersey and in Ireland, it’s quite raw. We’re all trying to get our heads around the news.

“His mother is devastated because she was with him on Saturday until five o’clock. He was a lovely person, very timid and very gentle. A little lad at the end of the day. “

The teenager is thought to have been staying at a flat with his one of his brothers, while his mother is believed to live nearby.

One friend, who attended John Roan School in Greenwich with the teenager, said: “I first met him when I was 12 years old and he was that cheeky little Irish kid running around the playground.

“He cared the most for his family and friends, always made everyone laugh and he truly was a respectful, kind person that was easy going and easy to get along with.

“People need to realise he is not just another statistic or another victim. He was most definitely not a man - he was a young boy that liked music and being with his friends.

“He never deserved to have his life taken away from him, people need to stop assuming this is ‘gang culture’. I’m angry that people think boys like Aron deserve this fate just because they are young and living in south east London.”

Neighbours said they were shocked by the stabbing and described the six-storey block of flats as “usually quiet and happy”.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder but later released with no further action.

Detectives are believed to be investigating how a row at the flat involving a number of people led to the stabbing.

The murder came as London Mayor Sadiq Khan today announced a £600,000 grant from Google to help charities tackle youth violence.

The cash will fund more than 500 social and youth workers, teachers and other frontline professionals from the Catch22 and Redthread charities with a focus on how young people use social media.

So far this year 128 people have been victims of homicide in London with police battling a surge in the number of gang related attacks.

Anyone with any information on the murder should call 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.