Flowers left for man on mobility scooter stabbed to death in east London while two held him…

31 August 2024, 09:06 | Updated: 31 August 2024, 09:31

Flowers have been laid at the scene where a man was stabbed to death on a mobility scooter in east London.

Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, was attacked on Wednesday and two men have since been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to a report of a fight on Rushmore Road in Clapton at 3.38pm on Wednesday and found a man with a stab wound.

He was treated by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service but was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Thursday, police released a photo of Mr Barnett for the first time.

It said a murder investigation had been launched and “we continue to maintain an open mind as we examine possible motives.”

On Thursday, crying people left bouquets of flowers at the scene of the accident.

His sister, Simone Barnett, 45, from Hackney, told the PA news agency on Wednesday that her brother was “cheerful, cheerful and caring” and “he never took anything too seriously, he laughed at everything”.

He used to live with his mother in Clapton, but his friends said he had moved to the Stratford area.

Mrs Barnett said: “He came here (Clapton) all the time, everyone knew my brother – young, old, mums, dads, everyone knew my brother.”

“Everyone is part of the family, he is just that character.”

His friends said he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007.

A note left on a bouquet of flowers at the scene of the accident read: “Jade, I am at a loss for words. We are all so shocked and stunned. We can't believe you are gone.”

“Fly high, Jade, we will never forget you.”

Another says: “Rest in peace. Never forgotten. I love you forever.”

James Cook, 65, runs the nearby Pedro Youth Club. Barnett “grew up in the club and was a friendly young man. He didn't cause trouble, he was passive.”

He said the community was “not doing well” following Mr Barnett’s death.

Mr Cook said: “I am afraid for the people in the area. The police are not on the ground, people are struggling, people in their own communities are afraid.”

“The children will tell me that the police can’t do anything.”

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A local resident who asked to be named only as Jacquie said Mr Barnett would be “missed by everyone”.

The 59-year-old said: “We will all miss him.

“I have lived here my whole life, his family raised him wonderfully, they got him out of a dark situation after his accident.

“He was truly an angel. He always had a big smile on his face and was always positive.”

Haken Koten, manager of the nearby Costcutter, said he heard “screams and yells” after the stabbing.

He said: “We saw a rescue helicopter, everyone was screaming and shouting.”

A community member who wished to remain anonymous left flowers at the scene and said he had known Mr Barnett for many years.

He said: “To hear how he died like this is not the best thing. You wouldn't expect it, especially from him. I'm at a loss for words.”

A neighbor who wanted to be identified only by her name Christine said that when she saw police outside her house, she thought it must be a traffic accident.

She said: “At first I thought it was a traffic accident. You don't think that a stabbing has taken place so close to where you live.”

A woman who was also at the cordon on Wednesday evening and wished to remain anonymous said: “He was always funny, cracking jokes, being friendly to everyone, always having a smile on his face and always being pleasant.”

“I can't say anything bad about him. I've known him for a long time, he's a nice guy, a very nice guy, you always see him, he's always friendly.”

“To be honest, you never expect an incident like this, and least of all with him. He's just nice, it's always, always a pleasure to see him, he's in a good mood.”

A man who knew Mr Barnett but also wished to remain anonymous said he was “a young guy, good-natured, no enemies, no weapons, no crime, no gangs”.

Two men, aged 28 and 21, were arrested and remain in custody at a police station in east London.

On Wednesday evening, a black and grey electric vehicle could still be seen behind the cordon, near a forensic tent at the crime scene; on Thursday, it was no longer visible.

The tent is on Overbury Street, overlooked by a housing estate, and the cordon extends to Rushmore Road.

On Thursday, another police cordon was set up around the area in front of a row of shops on Rushmore Road.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said on Thursday: “My thoughts are with Jade’s loved ones as they try to come to terms with this horrific incident.

“I know that the attack on a disabled man who was well known in the area will be deeply distressing to local residents.

“We continue to maintain an open mind as we investigate possible motives. I urge anyone who feels unsafe or has concerns to contact us.”

“Our investigation into Jade’s death is still in its early stages and my colleagues in the Special Crime Team are working hard to establish the circumstances of what happened yesterday afternoon.

“If anyone has any information about this tragic incident, I urge them to come forward and speak to us. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers completely anonymously.

“A number of roads have been closed and I am grateful to the people of Clapton for their patience.

“The public can expect continued and significant police activity in the surrounding area as we continue our thorough investigation.”

Anyone with personal information is asked to contact the police.