Six people lost their lives in a series of violent incidents across London over the weekend, prompting two murder investigations and a joint fire-police inquiry. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the deaths of a 17-year-old stabbed in Battersea, a man in his 30s knifed in Crystal Palace, a pedestrian in his 70s killed by a car in Cheam, and three men who died in a building fire in White City.
Teenager stabbed to death in Battersea
Jamal Coombes, 17, died from stab wounds on Glycena Road in Lavender Hill at around 4:20 am on Saturday. Police believe an altercation occurred before the attack. Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder: a boy and a girl, both 15, and a 14-year-old boy. They remain in custody as of Sunday afternoon. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, leading the investigation, said: “We believe that there was an altercation prior to the assault, so if you were in the Lavender Hill area between 03:30 hrs and 05:00hrs, specifically Glycena Road, Acanthus Road or Pountney Road, and witnessed a group of men running, please come forward. Any information, no matter how minor it may seem, could prove crucial. CCTV, doorbell or mobile phone footage may provide vital evidence.”
Pedestrian dies after Cheam collision
A man in his 70s died after being struck by a car on Belmont Rise in Cheam at around 11:05 am on Saturday. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died. The driver, a man in his 20s, stopped at the scene and was uninjured. No arrests have been made, and police are appealing for witnesses.
Murder investigation launched in Crystal Palace
A man in his 30s was found stabbed multiple times on Westow Hill in Crystal Palace at around 3:40 am on Sunday. He died at the scene. A second man, aged 30, was found nearby with serious injuries and taken to hospital; he has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee, leading the investigation, urged witnesses to come forward. A cordon was in place, forcing several businesses to close on Sunday.
Three men killed in White City fire
Three men died in a fire at a single-storey pavilion on New Zealand Way in White City on Saturday evening. Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines responded to the blaze, which broke out shortly before 7 pm. Two victims died at the scene, and a third died later in hospital. The fire destroyed over half of the building before being brought under control by 9:25 pm. A joint investigation by the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police is underway. Police are working to inform the victims’ families.
