Detectives investigating the murder of schoolboy Joel Adesina in east London have released details today of two more arrests.
The two men - aged 24 and 23 were arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder and were taken into custody at separate north London police stations where they remain today.
A 24-year-old woman was arrested last night on suspicion of murder, who also remains in custody.
The investigation continues and detectives from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command are appeal for witnesses and or anyone with information who saw the street fight in Bethnal Green late Friday night in which Jeol, a 15-year-old from Dagenham, was fatally stabbed in the stomach.
A post mortem examination on Monday, 8 December gave cause of death as stab wound to the liver.
Customers in a late-night off-license comforted Joel as he lay dying following Friday’s stabbing.
Joel ran into the Ekol corner store seeking refuge, screaming for help, after being in a confrontation involving his friends and the occupants of a car.
He was stabbed in Bethnal Green’s narrow Padbury Court, a cobblestone cul-de-sac at the back of Brick Lane, in a clash that police said spilled out along Gibraltar Walk then onto Bethnal Green Road.
“He ran into my shop saying ‘please help’ with a knife wound to his stomach,” a store manager who asked not to be identified said.
“Then he dropped to the floor by the counter, blood everywhere. A customer called for an ambulance.”
Police cordoned off the area and set up a forensic tent next to the ally where Joel was stabbed. The off-license was also closed over the weekend as forensic scientists studied the premises inch by inch.
“They examined the shop for two days, working all night with cameras,” the manager added.
“We lost all our trade, but that’s not important. A boy has died. It’s very sad—he was only 15.”
Joel was rushed the Royal London in Whitechapel, but died less than three hours later at 2.12am on Saturday.
The tight-knit East End neighbourhood around Gibraltar Walk was in shock following the stabbing.
Film-maker Aissa Bimmia said: “One of the teenagers ran into the corner off-licence and fainted—that’s where he ended up.
“There was blood on the shop-floor. This kid was just 15.”
Primark store worker Maria Gala, a near neighbour, said: “I saw a youth running and I heard people screaming.”
Construction worker Ashley Juan, 30, said: “It’s tragic—you don’t expect this on your doorstep.”
A nine-year-old boy in a flat overlooking Padbury Court said he saw youths chasing Joel and then heard screams.
Detectives from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to call 020-8345 3734, the non-emergency line on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.
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