Shopkeepers battled to save life of boy, 15, stabbed to death in front of young families

Tributes have been paid to a ‘fun loving and caring’ schoolboy who was fatally stabbed in north west London street in front of young families.

Jamal Ringrose, 15, died on Thursday after being attacked on Dudden Hill Lane in Dollis Hill on May 31.

Shopkeepers battled to save his life before police and paramedics were scrambled to the scene.

Witnesses told Metro Jamal had been riding up and down the road just seconds before he was knifed. 

After he slumped to the ground a group of boys scattered, they said. 

A restaurant owner whose business is next to the crime scene said: It was during the heatwave. Although it was after 10pm it was hot and families were out for dinner or just going for a late walk. A woman with a pushchair had just gone past the spot where the boy was stabbed seconds before.

‘I had seen the boy cycling up and down, nothing unusual he just looked like he was hanging out. Then he was stabbed and everything became a panic. Boys were running, a local shop worker came out and tried to help him, others did as well. I had people in my restaurant, it was just terrible. 

‘The police shut down the whole road but after the boy had been taken to hospital his trainers smeared with blood were still there, it’s an image I can’t get it out of my mind. The bloodshed among these young boys is awful. I used to be a teacher and things are getting out of hand. The laws on knives need tightening.’

A murder investigation has been launched into the stabbing. A 15-year has been charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon in connection with the case. Meanwhile males, aged 16 and 18, have been arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm.

A neighbour and friend of Jamal’s family said they had moved out of London about a year ago but described how he been a popular boy with a bright future ahead of him. 

He said: ‘Jamal was born here and I saw him grow into a nice polite, fun loving and caring person. He liked football and music and always said hello and was very well brought up by his mother who works in property. He was an only child and his mother is obviously absolutely devastated. She texted to say this has happened. We are in total shock as he was supposed to be living outside London.’

Flowers and balloons with ‘Jamal forever 15’ have been left at the crime scene in memory of the young man. Former neighbours said had attended school in nearby Queens Park but had changed schools before moving out of London

Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the boy who very sadly lost his life.

‘Officers have already charged one boy in connection with this terrible incident. However, our work continues and my team are pursuing several lines of inquiry.

‘We believe many people were in the area at the time and ask anyone with information or footage to come forward. In particular, we’re seeking dashcam or mobile phone recordings from the street at that time.’

‘No detail is too small or insignificant. Please get in touch.’

Detectives are trawling through CCTV footage from shops overlooking the scene and are keen to gather any dashcam images from passing drivers. Forensics officers have also collected evidence from the scene.

A police statement said: ‘At 22:36hrs, police were called to reports of a stabbing on Dudden Hill Lane.

‘Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service. Paramedics treated a 15-year-old boy for stab wounds before taking him to hospital, where he sadly later died on Thursday, June 4.’