The accused person, whose name cannot be revealed as he is said to be a 15-year-old Gambian student, resides in Peckham, South London.
This is an area with a large number of West Africa migrants including Nigerians, Ghanaians, Sierra-Leoneans and Gambians. The Gambians and few Senegalese living in the vicinity are known to be very hard-working and law-abiding.
Over the years, one hardly came across a Gambian or Senegalese in such a situation; consequently, this particular case came as a shock.
โThis is one of the most devastating things that happened to our community. We are known as law-abiding and this sort of things are new to us hereโ...clearly you can see we are very upsetโ, a Gambaian neighbour said.
This is also an area in London where one could easily come across a friend, acquaintance or even a family member, and most West African foods and commodities liked by such migrants could be bought or sold here.
Meanwhile, the victim was identified as one Dogan Ismail, 17 years old at the time of the alleged murder, who was reportedly stabbed in a quarrel over a โblackberry mobile phoneโ.
Some members of the press here have dubbed the case, โthe blackberry murderโ.
According to information gathered by The Point, the victim was seen walking with another person, later identified as his brother, in an area called Aylesbury estate, when the incident involving about four other youths took place.
Ismail was reportedly killed by a โsingle stab woundโ, and was later pronounced dead by the London Ambulance service at the scene.
A post-mortem was conducted, which confirmed that the victim was killed by a single stab wound.
At the time, detective chief inspector Matt Bonner, of the homicide and serious crime command, who was leading the investigation, appealed to the community to inform the police of the suspectโs whereabouts, and warned members of the public not to approach him.
The Point had learned that during the course of investigation, a 39-year-old woman was also arrested, on suspicion of โperverting the course of justiceโ, and was later bailed.
Author: Alhagie Mbye, the Pointโs UK correspondent
