Murdered boy's parents thank woman

4:20pm Saturday 5th July 2008

Comments (10)   Have your say »

THE parents of a 16-year-old boy from Deptford murdered by an armed gang have thanked the woman who tried desperately to save him.

Last night the parents of Shakilus Townsend, of Tanners Hill, Deptford, visited the scene of his death in Thornton Heath.

The boy, known as Shaki to his family, was attacked at around 1.45pm on Thursday (July 3) by a gang of three boys and a girl.

He was repeatedly stabbed and beaten with a baseball bat and died the next day.

His mum Nicola Dyer and dad Derek thanked mum-of-four Sharon Simpson, 47, for her brave actions in trying to her their son.

The three boys involved in the attack are described as black, aged in their mid-teens, wearing hooded tops.

When they confronted Shakilus they had their hoods up and bandannas over the lower half of their faces, leading police to think the attack was planned and targeted.

The fourth member of the gang is a black girl, aged in her mid-teens and wearing a floral dress.

Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.