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Islington stabbing: Witnesses tell of horror as young man killed outside Upper Street ice-cream shop in London

A young man was stabbed to death outside an ice-cream parlour on a London high street packed with shoppers and diners.

The victim, said to be his 20s, was ambushed in Upper Street, Islington, by a man who jumped from a white van and stabbed him repeatedly with a 12-inch kitchen knife just after 6.30pm on Monday.

Police and paramedics fought to save his life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim, who has not yet been identified, is the fourth person to have died as a result of a knife attack in the capital in as many days.

The scene on Upper Street in Islington, north London, close to where a man was stabbed to death (PA)
The scene on Upper Street in Islington, north London, close to where a man was stabbed to death (PA)

The Met has launched more than 60 murder inquiries so far this year.

Witnesses told of the terrifying moment a masked assailant leapt from a white van as it pulled up in front of Udderlicious ice cream shop, and attacked the victim.

One told the Standard: “The chap stabbed this man in the chest with a big kitchen knife. It must have been 12 inches long. The wounds were in his chest. They were obviously really bad.

Police at the scene after the attack in Upper Street (NIGEL HOWARD)
Police at the scene after the attack in Upper Street (NIGEL HOWARD)

“This all happened outside Udderlicious where there were kids hanging out after school. It’s just horrific.”

The witness added that the attacker then dropped the weapon next to the wounded man before fleeing the scene. He returned moments later to reclaim the knife, before making off on foot.

“I think the guy who stabbed the victim left the murder weapon there - I saw it right on the ground next to the guy,” he said. “Then he picked it up again and ran off down Barnsbury Street.”

A delivery driver at the Barnsbury Street Pizza Hut said his colleagues had seen a man running past the eatery, leaving a “trail of blood” on the pavement.

CCTV also emerged showing a man running from the scene of the attack. Police could not confirm whether he formed part of the investigation, but said they were still tracing two suspects.

A man races from the scene of the knife attack in Islington (PA/Gregory Barry)
A man races from the scene of the knife attack in Islington (PA/Gregory Barry)

Meanwhile, the owner of the 171 Hair and Beauty salon said the attacker had come into her shop covered in blood. Staff said it appeared as though he had also sustained stab wounds.

“No harm came to my staff, they’re just traumatised and shocked,” she said. “There’s blood all over my shop floor.”

Witnesses said a white van had driven off from Upper Street, as the victim lay on the ground.

Last night, a large area of Upper Street and Barnsbury Street remained cordoned off while forensic officers carried out finger-tip searches.

Forensic officers at the scene on Upper Street (PA)
Forensic officers at the scene on Upper Street (PA)

Nearby St Mary’s Church was opened for food and shelter after many residents were unable to access their homes.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: “I remain in close contact with @metpoliceuk, the local MP and Leader of the Council following a fatal stabbing in Islington this evening.

“This is being investigated by officers and my thoughts are with the victim’s family.”

A Met Police spokesman said: “This investigation is in its very early stages; at this time officers are actively working to trace at least two male suspects believed to have been involved in the incident.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue. The victim’s next of kin is yet to be informed. Anyone with information should call 101.