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Police have named two teenage boys stabbed to death a mile apart in south-east London and confirmed they believe the killings are linked.
The two boys, both aged 16, have been identified as Kearney Solanke and Charlie Bartolo.
Solanke was found with stab wounds in Titmuss Avenue, Thamesmead, and Bartolo was found in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking in Titmus Avenue, Det Supt Richard McDonagh of the Metropolitan Police said: “Homicide colleagues are investigating and treating the two murders as linked.”
McDonagh said police would like to hear from witnesses who may have seen the dark 4×4 vehicle: “Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a dark colored SUV or 4×4 with a distinctive silver roof bar in Sewell Road or the surrounding areas. Titmus Avenue in the days before the murders. We have already heard from a number of witnesses and I am grateful to them.
He added: “I can assure everyone affected by these murders that skilled detectives will work tirelessly to find out what happened and provide answers to the young victims and families.”
Police were called at around 5.10pm on Saturday to reports of people being injured at both locations.
McDonagh said: “Emergency services attended immediately and at each location they found a 16-year-old boy suffering from stab wounds. Tragically, both the boys succumbed to their injuries.”
He added: “As Deputy Borough Commander of the Met South-East Command Unit, I join the community in being deeply saddened and outraged by these senseless killings.” Specialist officers are helping the bereaved families.
McDonagh said: “Tackling violence is a priority for the Met. Today shows why our work is so important and why I must again ask London’s communities to work with us and our partners to ensure that together we are doing all we can to prevent tragedies like this.”
He added: “I am appealing for any witnesses who saw both incidents. I’m also interested in talking to people who knew Charlie and Kearn and might be able to provide some information or insight into the abstract murders.
Several teenage boys laid flowers near a cordon on Titmus Avenue, where a forensic tent could be seen through some knocked-over dustbins.
Speaking on the way to the church, neighbor Bamidele Folorunso said: “It’s very sad. We just found out the boy was on the floor and the police came and they tried to revive him.
A visibly distraught Folorunso added: “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 mother of one of the victims, said stabbings were “not normal” for the area but things had gotten worse in recent years.
“There are a lot of things going on with young children on the street – it’s because of the lack of youth centres. Not really a place where kids say ‘this is a safe environment’.
Gillian Southwest, 48, who also lives on the road, said: “It’s terrible. I have lived here for 28 years. If it’s a boy, I think he’s a really good boy.”
A 32-year-old man, who has lived on Titmus Avenue for most of his life but did not want to be named, said he was waiting for an ambulance for his grandmother when the commotion began.
“I heard a little noise at about 6 o’clock – the bins were all rattling. There are always kids running around making noise but something like this is normal.
“It’s shocking to hear something like this in this area.”
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