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Stabbed boy's parents thank woman Stabbed boy's parents thank woman
(about 1 hour later)
The parents of a 16-year-old knife victim have paid an emotional thank you to a woman who scared off his attackers and desperately tried to save him.The parents of a 16-year-old knife victim have paid an emotional thank you to a woman who scared off his attackers and desperately tried to save him.
Shakilus Townsend's mother Nicola Dyer and father Derek visited the scene of their son's death in Thornton Heath, south London, on Friday night.Shakilus Townsend's mother Nicola Dyer and father Derek visited the scene of their son's death in Thornton Heath, south London, on Friday night.
They and other relatives thanked Sharon Simpson, 47, for her brave actions.They and other relatives thanked Sharon Simpson, 47, for her brave actions.
Shakilus was repeatedly stabbed and beaten with a baseball bat in Beulah Crescent on Thursday afternoon.Shakilus was repeatedly stabbed and beaten with a baseball bat in Beulah Crescent on Thursday afternoon.
'Kicking and punching' 'Planned and targeted'
No suspects have been arrested over the killing.No suspects have been arrested over the killing.
He is the 18th teenager to be shot or stabbed to death in London this year.He is the 18th teenager to be shot or stabbed to death in London this year.
Ms Simpson said: "There was crying and pain. They said he was a very happy guy, he was nice."Ms Simpson said: "There was crying and pain. They said he was a very happy guy, he was nice."
She said she saw two teenage boys, whose faces were covered, beating Shakilus with a baseball bat and kicking and punching him as he lay on the ground last Thursday.She said she saw two teenage boys, whose faces were covered, beating Shakilus with a baseball bat and kicking and punching him as he lay on the ground last Thursday.
"I said to them don't slap him, don't hit him at all. I said leave him alone," she said."I said to them don't slap him, don't hit him at all. I said leave him alone," she said.
"I thought that could have been one of mine. I tried to save him but I couldn't.""I thought that could have been one of mine. I tried to save him but I couldn't."
Floral tributes have been left at the scene, with messages from his cousin Kayreesha, his aunt Diana, and Ben Morris, a fellow pupil from Rosendale Primary School they both used to attend. She said she ran outside, which caused the attackers to flee, giving her the opportunity to try and save Shakilus.
His message reads "You'll be missed mate." "The only thing he was talking about was his mum and that he didn't want to die. He knew he was going to die but I couldn't help him," she said.
'Planned and targeted' She said she saw a tall man looking on as the two teenagers with covered faces beat Shakilus.
A worker from youth service Connexions, who did not leave her name, described the teenager as "young, gifted and black." Police described the incident as a "planned and targeted attack" by a group of four youths wearing hooded tops and bandanas.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene, with messages from his cousin Kayreesha, his aunt Diana, and Ben Morris, a fellow pupil from Rosendale Primary School which they both used to attend.
His message reads: "You'll be missed mate."
Kayreesha wrote: "You grew up so fast and I never got the chance to see you recently.Kayreesha wrote: "You grew up so fast and I never got the chance to see you recently.
"I have been a part of you this long and now you are gone but you will always be with me.""I have been a part of you this long and now you are gone but you will always be with me."
'Resting peacefully'
Shakilus's aunt said: "I hope you are resting peacefully".Shakilus's aunt said: "I hope you are resting peacefully".
Police described the incident as a "planned and targeted attack" by a group of four youths wearing hooded tops and bandanas. A relative who visited the scene said Shakilus had been in minor trouble when he was younger but had since reformed.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that they are following one line of enquiry that the attack could have been sparked by a row over a girl.
Police said Shakilus was approached by four people just before he was attacked, three boys and one girl.
The girl, who was black and in her mid-teens, was wearing a floral dress.
Scotland Yard said today it was not yet clear whether she knew Shakilus or what her role was in the run-up to the attack.
Robert Temple, who was among the neighbours who tried to save Shakilus, said: "He was walking along the wall and there was a girl at the bus stop taking photos or videoing him on her phone, then she must have shot off.
"It's a nasty business. I just did what I could do, I'm just sorry he died."
Mr Temple also found a knife believed to have been used in the attack in the driveway at the front of the flats.
He picked it up in a handkerchief and handed it to police.
A book of condolence has been opened at nearby Beulah Family Church.A book of condolence has been opened at nearby Beulah Family Church.