A 25-year-old man brutally murdered at a Thamesmead housing estate yesterday (October 14) has been named locally as Olamide Fashina, also known as Ben.
Mr Fashina, an aspiring musician known to friends as Trigger, was chased by a gang of up to five men, according to witnesses, armed with an 8in knife and a hacksaw because of a £400 debt.
He was cronered in an alleyway and stabbed in the chest before his attackers scattered. Despite attempts by paramedics to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the ambulance drove away, his mother cried out: “My son, my boy, they stabbed my boy.”
Ben’s uncle, Samuel, told the Evening Standard: “He was a very respectful boy. I’m so shocked, I wouldn’t have expected this ever. He was only 25.
“Whether they find the people who did it or not he is never going to come back. For his parents who have been around and supported him for 25 years it is devastating. His mum is in bits.”
Afterwards, Ben's younger brother tweeted: "Life is short. Never even got a chance to say I love you to my brother. This really is a lesson that we need to keep our family at heart."
Police were still at the area this morning, with some of the estate still cordoned off. They were initially called at 2.12pm yesterday to reports of a large group of males congregating in Wolvercote Road.
They were directed to a man in his 20s suffering from a stab wound.
London Ambulance Service was called while London's Air Ambulance landed on the playing fields of nearby Willow Bank School.
Mr Fashina was pronounced dead at the scene. Yesterday, friends, who were too upset to speak, lay flowers at the spot, with one card reading: "Rest in peace Trigs, it wasn't our time."
Another tribute read: "RIP my brother Trigz. You're going to be missed by many. Young talent lost. I can't wait till the day I see you so imma be patient. You're in a better place."
Neighbour Ted Knott told News Shopper: "Five of them were chasing three other boys. One had a knife about eight or six inches big and a hacksaw."
Mr Knott said the incident may have been sparked over a £400 debt.
A woman, who did not want to be named, watched as paramedics desperately tried to save the victim.
She said: "I just saw him lying flat there. My friend was trying to speak to him but he couldn't get his breath."
Another witness, who did not want to be named, added: "I heard a lot of shouting and commotion on Wolvercote Road, this turned out to be a fight with four black youths.
"I then saw two youths run off towards Hartslock Drive holding a large knife.
"The man they had just stabbed in the chest crawled for help."
The incident is currently being investigated by Bexley police.
A post-mortem examination will be held tomorrow at the Princess Royal Hospital.
Detective Chief Inspector Russ Taylor, who is leading the investigation for the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and may have seen either the build up to this incident or the aftermath following the assault.
"There would have been a significant number of people around at this time of day and I would urge anyone who can assist this investigation to contact the incident room without delay."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team direct on 020 8721 4868, dial 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Do you know Mr Fashina? Call News Shopper on 01689 885714 or email mchandler@london.newsquest.co.uk
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