By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Tragedy occurred on Monday, 1 May, 2023 as Brixton O2 venue in South London as woman was stabbed to death while walking home from buying birthday gifts for her mother,just yards from a police station.
The 31-year-old was ambushed while phoning her mother and her grandmother heard her screaming down the phone during the attack
A 33-year-old man who is not thought to have been known to her was arrested on Tuesaday,2 May,2023 and was quizzed by detectives.
Neighbours said the victim lived with her parents, brother and sister and worked from home.
Jacqueline Demontague said she saw the woman’s distraught father rushing to the scene shortly after 4pm following a phone call from the grandmother.
‘She was on the phone to her grandmother and suddenly she began shouting and screaming.I cannot imagine how awful it must have been for both her and her grandmother. The grandmother phoned the woman’s father, who came straight out to the scene.
‘He was in a state of shock, of course. He couldn’t believe what had happened. Lots of other family members came out too – they were beside themselves.
‘It had been her mother’s birthday and she went out to pick up some birthday things and was on her way back from the shop when she was attacked from behind,’ she said.
Ms Demontague said a witness claimed the knifeman was all in black.
‘I’m not sure what it was for, for a mobile phone, a mugging or what. But what a tragedy, a waste of a young life,’ she added.
Another neighbour said residents had been desperately calling for more police because of anti-social behaviour and drug use. Despite Brixton police station being close by, he said there were few patrols.
‘In one residents’ meeting with police someone stood up and said it would take a violent rape or murder to happen before they did something,’ he added.
‘And look where we are now. A young girl has lost her life in broad daylight.’
Scotland Yard confirmed the victim died at 4.42pm on Monday.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh, policing commander for Lambeth, said: ‘This is a shocking attack and my thoughts are with the woman’s family and friends.’
Source: The Mail
