Catford teenager's murder believed to be 'random' (From News Shopper)

Headteacher's tribute to murdered Catford teenager

5:20pm Monday 5th March 2012 in Lewisham By Mark Chandler

POLICE are examining whether there is any link between the murder of a 17-year-old Catford student and a spate of other stabbings.

Aspiring footballer Kwame Ofosu-Asare was an innocent teenager who happened to be in the wrong place on March 2 when he was chased through Brixton by two knifemen, police say.

The student was knifed at around 5.50pm, and died as an ambulance raced him to hospital.

A post-mortem examination took place at Greenwich mortuary gave the cause of death as multiple stab wounds.

Headteacher at Forest Hill School Steve Brady said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened at the news of the tragic death of Kwame.

"He will be greatly missed by staff and students at the school and all our thoughts are with Kwame’s family and friends.”

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane who is leading the investigation for the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC) said: "Kwame was an innocent young man enjoying himself on a Friday afternoon when he was pursued and attacked by two knifemen.

"I am appealing for anybody who was in or around the Moorlands Estate at that time and may have any information to come forward.

"At this stage I believe that this was a random selection of victim and that Kwame could have been attacked by individuals who saw people they did not know on what they perceived to be their territory.

"I also have to consider the possibility that the attack on Kwame was carried out in revenge for the stabbing of another youth in West Norwood on or another stabbing last week.

"The two suspects responsible for this dreadful crime appear to have entered the estate from Moorlands Road close to Hillmead School. I believe they also left in the same direction."

Police are looking at whether there is any link between the killing and a stabbing in West Norwood on March 2, along with five others in Lambeth which took place on February 25.

They are also keeping an open mind on whether there is any link with a stabbing in Shardeloes Road, New Cross, at about 4.20am on Sunday which left a 20-year-old man in a serious but stable condition.

Officers say Kwame was with a friend on their way to his friend’s relative’s house in Brixton when they were chased by two young men and assaulted.

The two suspects are described as black, aged in their late teens or early 20s. They were both wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.