Murder detectives arrest teenage boy, 16, after two other 16-year-olds stabbed to death a mile apart

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested by detectives on suspicion of murdering two other teenagers a mile apart from each other in southeast London last night.

Kearne Solanke and Charlie Bartolo, both aged 16, were found with stab wounds in Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead, and Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, in Greenwich on Saturday afternoon.

The two boys became the latest victims of lawless London last night,  which prompted a double murder investigation to be launched.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: ‘This is a positive development in what is a complex and fast-moving investigation. Charlie and Kearne’s families have been informed.

‘Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to appeal for the public’s help as we build a picture of what happened on Saturday night. If you have information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please come forward.’

As neighbours mourned the losses of the boys, police launched an appeal to speak to anyone who may have seen a dark coloured SUV or 4×4 type vehicle with distinctive silver roof bars around the two roads in the days prior to the murders. 

Police and paramedics were scrambled at around 5.10pm on Saturday to find two victims with stab wounds less than a mile apart.

But despite the efforts of the emergency services, both of the teenagers succumbed to their wounds and died last night. Police have now confirmed that the deaths are linked.

Detective superintendent Richard McDonagh, speaking at the scene of one of the incidents, said: ‘This is an extremely sad day for all of us who live or work in Greenwich.

‘Police are investigating the tragic murders of two teenage boys, and my thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their families and friends – and indeed with local people in Abbey Wood and Thamesmead who I know are shocked and appalled by what has happened.

‘As the Deputy Borough Commander of the Met’s South East Command Unit, I join them in being deeply saddened and outraged by these senseless murders.

‘On Saturday evening, at around 5.10pm, police were called to reports of two people injured in two locations; Sewell Road, Abbey Wood and Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead.

‘The locations are approximately one mile apart.

‘Emergency services attended immediately, and at each location they found a 16-year-old boy suffering stab injuries. Tragically, both boys died of their injuries.

He went on to confirm the two victims’ names and said that their families have been made aware and are receiving specialist support.

He added: ‘Homicide colleagues are investigating and are treating the two murders as linked. The investigation is therefore led by one team of specialist homicide investigators based at Lewisham.

‘I can assure everyone affected by these murders that skilled detectives will work tirelessly to discover what happened and provide answers to the young victims’ families.

‘Tackling violence is a priority for the Met.

‘Days like today show why that work is so important, and why I must again ask all of London’s communities to work with us, and our partners, so that we are doing all that we can together to prevent such tragedies.

‘We have already heard from a number of witnesses, and I am grateful to them for getting in touch and providing information to police.

‘Any witnesses, or those who knew Charlie or Kearne and might be able to offer some information or insight into these senseless killings, are urged to contact police. The phone number is 101 and you should quote reference 4943/26nov.

‘Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, online or by calling 0800 555 111.. They do not ask your name or trace your IP address.’

Crime scenes remained in place at both locations on Sunday morning with police offices guarding the cordoned off areas.

Several teenage boys laid flowers by the cordon in Titmuss Avenue, where a forensics tent could still be seen by some knocked over dustbins.

One was tearful as he placed a red love-heart balloon alongside them.

Officers later cordoned off a black Nissan with one saying it is a ‘car of interest’ in the investigation.

Bamidele Folorunso, a neighbour who did not give her age but 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.’ 

Meanwhile 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.’ 

The two boys have become the latest victims in the bloodshed to have swept across the capital, with eight people fatally stabbed or shot since October 25.