The third teenager to be stabbed to death in the UK in the space of a week has been named as 15-year-old Romario Opia.
Romario, known as Rom to his friends, was on his way to his local chip shop when he was stabbed to death in Archway, Islington, at around 5.30pm on Monday evening.
A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of affray has been released with no further action taken, as police step up patrols near the scene in North London.
Police were called to Holland Walk yesterday along with air ambulance paramedics and London Ambulance Service, but Romario was pronounced dead at the scene.
A close family friend described Rom’s death as ‘devastating’.
The murder comes just five days after Anas Mezenner, 17, was stabbed to death less than three miles away near Turnpike Lane station.
Keon Lincoln, 15, was shot and stabbed to death in Birmingham last Thursday.
Police guarded off the scene of Romario Opia’s murder in North London earlier today as a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of affray was released with no further action taken
Romario, 15, is the second teenager to be killed on London’s streets so far this year, following an unrelated fatal stabbing near Turnpike Lane station five days ago
Police remained at the scene of Romario’s murder today as they appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Carly, 40, a childhood friend of Romario’s mother, told MyLondon: ‘I’ve known him all his life. I just wish I could take the pain away. It’s awful.
‘There’s no words really. It’s devastating.
‘He was beautiful, fun, loving and always interacting with the children.’
The family friend said
Ch Supt Raj Kohli, Commander of the Central North unit, said: ‘A young person’s life has been taken and our thoughts are with his family and friends who have lost someone very special to them.
‘I know our community will be shocked and upset by this incident. Our officers share your sadness, and we have a team dedicated to tracking down those who committed this.
‘Detectives from our specialist crime command will be making extensive enquiries and I would ask anyone who does know something to come forward and share that information.’
Police remained at the scene in Holland Walk, Archway, near Islington, earlier today as a murder investigation continued
Forensic officers arrived at the scene to investigate last night, following Romario’s death at around 5.30pm on Monday
Det Ch Insp Neil John, who leads the investigation, said: ‘My officers and I are committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice. There are people out there who know what happened last night, and I want them to come forward.
‘In particular, I’d like anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident to share that with us. Please get in touch with us, or anonymously with Crimestoppers, and help us track down those who did this.’
Police patrols are being stepped up around Archway following the death of Romario Opia, who was known to his friends as Rom
Two boys, aged 16, have been charged with the murder of Anas Mezenner.
Five teenage boys have been arrested over the murder of Keon Lincoln in Birmingham.
A total of nine people have been murdered in London already this year, with two of the victims teenagers.
A total of 17 teenagers were murdered in the capital in 2020.