Boy, 14, is charged with murdering 14-year-old who was stabbed outside pizza shop in London – as victim’s dad battles Covid in hospital
- Fares Maatou, 14, died after he was allegedly stabbed in Newham on Friday
- Friends claim he was involved in a clash with a group of people about a scooter
- 14-year-old boy charged with murder and possession of offensive weapon
- Two 15-year-old boys were arrested and bailed to return on a date in late May
- Police also made a fourth arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy outside a pizzeria in East London.
Fares Maatou was still in school uniform when he and a friend allegedly became involved in a clash with a group of youths outside Zzetta Soul Fired Pizza in East Ham, Newham, just before 4pm on Friday.
It has been claimed the argument involved a scooter but police said that enquiries are ongoing as to any motive.
The young teenager was allegedly attacked with a bladed weapon.
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A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon following the death of Fares Maatou, 14, (pictured) in East London, on Friday afternoon
Eyewitnesses told how a friend was among several bystanders who desperately tried to resuscitate Fares, whose family are of north African heritage, before he was declared dead at the scene around 4.30pm.
A restaurant worker said a FedEx worker, an off-duty police officer and a woman had all rushed to the teenager’s aid as he lay outside the restaurant.
‘They were just shouting at him ‘wake up, wake up, try to breathe’. Three or four of us were all shouting loudly ‘one, two, three’, so there was a rhythm for compression.’
The Times reports that his mother was so distraught when she arrived at the scene that she fainted, while his father is said to be critically ill in hospital with coronavirus.
Friends and family have left floral tributes and balloons outside the scene on Barking Road
Detectives have charged a 14-year-old boy with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is due to appear in custody at Stratford Youth Court on Monday.
A 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder and a 15-year-old boy arrested in connection with the incident have been bailed until late May.
Police also made a fourth arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder yesterday and he remains in police custody.
Friends and family have left floral tributes and balloons outside the scene on Barking Road.
A close friend of Fares described him as a ‘really nice’ person who ‘loved life’.
Police announced a fourth arrest in the murder of schoolboy Fares Maatou, 14
The tearful 15-year-old, accompanied by her 33-year-old mother, neither of whom wished to be named, said: ‘He was really nice. He would just be there for you. If you ever needed him he would be there.’
She added: ‘He was happy. He loved life.’
A post-mortem examination held at East Ham Mortuary gave cause of death as stab injuries.
DCI Perry Benton of specialist crime, said: ‘I spoke yesterday about how local people have provided fantastic support to our investigation and given us a good deal of information. This has continued over the weekend, and once again I thank them for that.
‘Every piece of information could be vital, so I continue to appeal for anyone who knows anything and any witnesses who have yet to speak with police to please come forward.
‘I have assured Fares’s family of my total commitment to bringing to justice those responsible. They will be supported by specialist officers at every stage of what will be a terrible ordeal for them in the weeks, months and years ahead.
‘This remains a fast-moving investigation and there will be further developments.’
Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570 or Crimestoppers anonymously.