Two more held over teenager stabbing

Two more teenagers have been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old near the site of a proposed Olympics party, police said tonight.

Officers are questioning two 16-year-old boys over the death of Charles Junior Hendricks.

He was knifed to death near a bus garage in Walthamstow, east London, in the early hours last Saturday.

Today's first arrest was made at 4.30pm when a boy attended an east London police station.

The second came at 7pm when a youth was arrested in a street in Holloway, north London.

Police arrested two males, aged 19 and 17, near the scene the day after the attack. They were both bailed to return in September pending further inquiries.

The 17 year-old was treated for a minor slash wound to his arm.

The victim, known as CJ, was discovered lying collapsed on the ground by police who were on a routine patrol of the site at around 1.40am.

Officers said they saw two or three males running away from the scene.

Organisers for the London Olympics had intended to show the closing ceremony of the Beijing Games on a giant screen near the scene of the stabbing but police cordoned off the area.

CJ was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital in east London, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

He was the 24th teenager to be fatally stabbed in London this year.

Police sources said CJ may well have known his attackers and it is thought the stabbing could have taken place following a dispute.

CJ's grandmother, Weda Campbell, paid tribute to the teenager in the days after his death.

She said he was due to start college next month where he was to study to become a mechanic.

She added: "He was a beautiful boy, I'm telling you this from the heart, not because he was my grandson, but because he was a very good boy."

A friend speaking at the scene, who did not want to be named, added: "I met him through friends.

"You could just talk to him and have a laugh. He was my guy and someone has just taken him away."

Walthamstow had been chosen as one of a number of sites in London to show the Olympic handover ceremony in Beijing.

Hundreds of people had been expected to gather around a giant screen to watch London Mayor Boris Johnson receive the huge Olympic flag from the Chinese, symbolising the start of the London Olympiad.

But the stabbing meant the area due to be used to broadcast the ceremony had become a crime scene and was cordoned off by police.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin said officers "retained an open mind" about the motive for the stabbing.

He added: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the murder to please contact police with any information you may have.

"The incident happened close to a well-lit bus garage.

"Did you see several males in the grass area near to the bus garage and close to Selborne Walk Shopping Centre? Did you see anyone run away from the scene?

Anyone with information should call detectives on 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.