New Cross stabbing: Murder investigation launched after death of aspiring rapper

Tributes have been paid to 17-year-old Myron Yarde from Deptford, Lewisham

17-year-old aspiring musician, Myron Yarde (Myron Yarde/ Facebook )

A murder investigation has been launched after a 17-year-old boy was killed in a stabbing attack in south-east London.

Myron Yarde, an aspiring musician, was found injured in Camplin Street, New Cross, after police responded to reports of an altercation between a group of youths at 7:41pm on Sunday.

The teenager was treated by paramedics at the scene, but died in hospital shortly after 9pm.

Two boys aged 15 and 16 have been arrested in connection with the incident and both remain in custody at a south London police station, according to Metropolitan Police.

Friends have paid tribute to Myron, a promising rapper from Deptford who went by the stage name MDot, posting dozens of messages on social media under the hashtags #MDOT, #ripmdot and #MdotsWorld.

Tor Cesay wrote: “I’m devastated. An exceptional young man. Our classroom will never be the same without u! [sic] Rest in peace Myron.”

Twitter user, Rossini, said: “The kindest, most influential and promising person I ever met, that will never ever go un-noticed.”

Prominent rap artists have also paid tribute to the teenager. Novelist, the Mobo-nominated grime MC, also from Lewisham, tweeted: “Just last week I called telling MDOT I'm gonna bring him studio and life's getting better. My heart man, he was just tryna live [sic].”

Mobo-winning hip-hop artist Tony Rotton, who also grew up in Deptford, added: "I remember navigating my way out of the same exact roads in Deptford/New Cross at 17. Let's break the cycle of violence. RIP."

Other friends posted footage of Myron’s rap videos in remembrance.

A fundraising page has been set up to help pay for his funeral, saying: "Please help carry the cost of a young black boy's life who had a bright future and immense talent, he shall be missed."

While Myron has not been formally identified, his next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

Police at the scene of a stabbing in Lewisham in south London (PA)

Police at the scene of a stabbing in Lewisham in south London (PA)

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves said: "It was still daylight when the altercation began and we believe there could have been many people in the area who may have seen something which could provide valuable information to the investigation. I would urge them to contact police as soon as possible."

It is the second time a teenager has been stabbed to death this year in the capital. In January, Charlie Kutuyampo, 16, was knifed at a friend's 16th birthday party in Woodford, east London.

Nineteen teenagers were murdered in London in 2015, of whom 15 were stabbed - the highest figure since 2008, when 29 were killed, 22 by being stabbed, according to the Metropolitan Police.