Pictured: Boy, 15, stabbed to death in 'botched robbery' outside school in Hackney

25 July 2024, 09:42 | Updated: 13 August 2024, 14:46

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager of the same age who was stabbed to death in east London.
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager of the same age who was stabbed to death in east London. Picture: Alamy/TikTok

By Emma Soteriou

A 15-year-old boy stabbed to death in a 'botched robbery' outside a school in Hackney has been identified.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Police were called to Stellman Close in Hackney at about 4pm on Tuesday after reports of a stabbing.

Officers found Pharrell Garcia collapsed on the ground near Benthal Primary School with fatal stab wounds. He died at the scene.

Pharrell had been visiting a friend and was about to leave on a Lime bike when someone "tried to rob him", two friends from his school told the Mail.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Read more: Hundreds of protesters gather outside police station after video shows officer kicking man in face at Manchester Airport

Read more: Man charged with attempted murder of senior Army officer after 'knife attack' outside Kent barracks

Pharrell's family are "understandably heartbroken", said Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who is in charge of policing in Hackney.

The incident happened in a busy area during the day, and the suspect is believed to have run away, Scotland Yard said.

People lay flowers near to the scene in Stellman Close
People lay flowers near to the scene in Stellman Close. Picture: Alamy

During a press conference near the scene on Wednesday, Mr Conway said: "Tragically, a 15-year-old boy lost his life yesterday after he was stabbed here in Hackney.

"We have informed the boy's family, who are understandably heartbroken. Specially-trained officers are supporting them at this unimaginably difficult time.

"Last night, our detectives worked around the clock to start to piece together what happened and, as a result of those inquiries, we have arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder.

"He remains in custody for questioning."

Mr Conway added: "I know the community will be searching for answers today and will be shocked and angry at this tragic loss of life.

"I want them to know that we will do everything in our power to provide those answers and bring those responsible to justice.

"Our investigation continues at pace today, with officers conducting house-to-house inquiries, reviewing hours of CCTV, and speaking to witnesses.

"Local people can also expect to see a higher police presence in the area over the coming days as our inquiries continue."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80 after 'brief illness' as tributes pour in

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned 'any appearance by armed forces under some other flag' in Ukraine would be 'completely unacceptable', in a dig at a peace plan floated by Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan ‘completely unacceptable’, Russia tells US in Saudi Arabia talks

Rita Lambourne, 58, was “fatally wounded” at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill

Man charged with axe murder of woman in own home

Lydia Mugambe is accused of taking 'advantage of her status'

UN judge ‘trafficked woman to UK to be her slave'

Anonymous posters have appeared in Hampstead Heath, a park in north London, calling for gay men to stop using the park for sex.

'Take back Hampstead Heath', dog walkers urged as posters appear calling for men to stop using park for sex

Gavin Nicholls was tackled to the ground by a plain-clothed officer outside the Co-op in Barnet

Moment serial shoplifter is tackled off e-scooter by police as he flees store in north London

The plane, which was carrying 80 people, slid down onto the icy runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport before bursting into flames

Horrifying video shows moment Delta plane crashes on tarmac and bursts into flames at Toronto airport

Healey's comments came following Russia-US Peake talks in Saudi Arabia.

UK facing 'new era of threat' from Russia, Defence Secretary says as he unveils ‘biggest military shake up in 50 years’

Passengers escape Flipped over Delta plane after it crashed while landing in Toronto

'We were hanging upside down like bats': Survivors reveal fear and chaos inside flipped over Delta plane

England's top judge slams Starmer and Badenoch over Gaza family immigration comments

'Judges aren't free from criticism': Backlash after England's top judge attacks Starmer's migrant remarks

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

British couple on round-the-world motorbike adventure charged with espionage by Iranian authorities

An assistant referee has been charged with child sexual offences.

Assistant referee for FA Cup and football league games charged with child sexual offence

Corinna Schumacher, right, has broken her silence on the case involving a plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets.

Michael Schumacher's wife breaks silence after three men guilty of blackmail plot to reveal F1 legend's health secrets

Doctor Who

Doctor Who faces axe as Nucti Gatwa 'quits' show amid drop in ratings over 'woke' storylines

Pope Francis

Pope Francis cancels weekend engagements as hospital stay extended