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Boy, 13, held over teenager death | Boy, 13, held over teenager death |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the murder of a promising young footballer in London. | A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the murder of a promising young footballer in London. |
Jahmal Mason-Blair, 17, was found by police with a stab wound in his neck in a street in Hackney early on Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. | Jahmal Mason-Blair, 17, was found by police with a stab wound in his neck in a street in Hackney early on Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. |
Friends of the teenager said he dreamed of being a professional footballer and was rarely seen without a ball. | Friends of the teenager said he dreamed of being a professional footballer and was rarely seen without a ball. |
Scotland Yard said the 13-year-old was arrested in east London at 2030 BST and was being held at a police station. | Scotland Yard said the 13-year-old was arrested in east London at 2030 BST and was being held at a police station. |
A post-mortem examination will be carried out on Sunday. | |
'Never made it' | 'Never made it' |
The teenager's half-brother Shaun Mason, 30, said Jahmal's father, Wesley Blair, collapsed when he heard of his son's death and was taken to hospital. | |
Mr Mason said their mother Tetela Rafeal lived in Florida and was making plans to fly back to the UK after her daughter broke the news. | |
"He (Jahmal) was meant to be coming to stay with his cousin... but he never made it," he said. | |
Remember we may have lost a friend, but Heaven has gained an angel Shana Glover | |
Jahmal, who had been given a trial at Reading Football Club but was not offered a contract, is the ninth teenager to die in violent circumstances in London this year. | |
Following the attack, hundreds of people joined a Facebook group set up in memory of the teenager. | |
Tributes to Jahmal included one from friend Shana Glover, which read: "Remember we may have lost a friend, but Heaven has gained an angel. Will be forever missed." | |
Another friend, Ashleigh Willer, wrote: "I know football was your passion and it's a shame to know that you're not going to be able to pursue your career as a professional footballer, but in my eyes you were a professional from the beginning." | |
In 2008, 28 teenagers were killed in violent incidents in the capital. | In 2008, 28 teenagers were killed in violent incidents in the capital. |