Teenage victim of fatal north London knife attack named

Police have launched a murder investigation as they named the teenage victim of a fatal knife attack in North London.

Officers were called to Holland Walk, Islington, on Monday at around 5.30pm to a report of an attack and found a teenage boy suffering from a stab injury.

The boy, aged 15, was pronounced dead at the scene a short while later, the Met said.

Though formal identification is yet to take place, officers believe the victim is named Romario Opia.

His next of kin have been informed and they being supported by specialist officers.

One boy, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of affray but has been released with no further action.

Homicide detectives from the Met’s specialist crime command have begun investigating the boy’s death.

The force warned the public would see an increased police presence in the area in the coming days.

Chief Superintendent 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 inquiries and I would ask anyone who does know something to come forward and share that information.”

Detective Chief Inspector 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.”

He urged anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident to share it with the police.

Anyone who witnessed the initial assault or who knows anything about what happened is urged to call 101 or tweet the Met Contact Centre (@MetCC) on Twitter.