An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder following two fatal stabbings in Kentish Town.
The deaths of 17-year-old Abdikarim Hassan in Bartholomew Road on February 20 and 20-year-old Sadiq Adan Mohamed less than two hours later are now being linked, Scotland Yard said.
Officers are investigating three incidents on Tuesday night which includes the stabbing of a 16-year-old boy in Alderman Street, Mornington Crescent.
Police arrested an 18-year-old man last night (February 22), at an address in Camden on suspicion of two counts of murder and one count of grievous bodily harm. He is currently in custody at an east London police station.
Detectives are appealing to the public to get in touch if they recall anything from the evening saying everyone has “a part to play” in preventing another attack.
DCI Paul Considine said: “I am asking local residents or those people who were out in the area that night to think back - and if they saw something that may help us, please get in contact. I can understand why some people may be reluctant or nervous about coming forward but we need your help. We will treat your information in the strictest of confidence.
“I also believe that there are people out there who know exactly who is responsible. I would urge you to do the right thing and tell us what you know. It is not too late.”
At around 8pm on Tuesday night police were flagged down and found a 16-year-old boy who had been stabbed in Aldenham Street. He remains in hospital with “non-life threatening injuries”, police said.
Four men, aged 24, 23, 20,and 21, were arrested the following day on suspicion of grievous bodily harm in connection with this incident. They were questioned and have now been released under investigation.
Half an hour later police were called to Bartholomew Road at the junction with Oseney Crescent in Kentish Town.
They found Abdikarim Hassan seriously wounded. Officers and members of the public gave first aid but the 17-year-old died at the scene from a stab wound to the chest.
At 10:13pm officers were called to a disturbance in Malden Road, near to the junction with Marsden Street.
Sadiq Aadam Mohamed, 20, died at the scene from stab wounds.
Detectives said Sadiq and his friend were chased by a group of four men along an alleyway leading to Malden Road and onto the road before they stabbed him. His friend was uninjured. The suspects then fled along Malden Road towards Prince of Wales Road.
DCI Considine, added: “What is clear is that there were three violent attacks, by a group of men armed with knives, within about two hours of each other and within about a mile of each other.
“Two families are suffering a terrible loss, and you could hold the answers to what happened to their sons, brothers, loved ones, best friends.
“One line of enquiry that we are urgently pursuing is that a blue van was seen in the area of the two murders. If you saw a vehicle that caused you concern due to how it was being driven or the people inside it then please get in touch with us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the investigation team on 020 8345 3734, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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