London, UK – A 17-year-old has been convicted of murder for chasing and stabbing 16-year-old Renell Charles in a “brutal attack” in East London.
The incident took place on May 5th, with the assailant jumping out of a taxi to carry out the attack on Charles, a pupil at Kelmscott school in Walthamstow. According to the Metropolitan police, the assailant was found guilty by a jury at Snaresbrook crown court in London.
After chasing Charles down and stabbing him twice, the assailant attempted to evade capture by changing his clothes and swapping sim cards. Despite claiming self-defense, CCTV and witness evidence confirmed that the assailant had chased Charles before the fatal stabbing.
Following the guilty verdict, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers condemned the senseless act of violence, expressing sympathy for the victim’s family and affirming that the killer had been brought to justice.
The 17-year-old is set to be sentenced on March 14th at the same court. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of knife crime, especially among youth, in London.