Man charged following double murder in Islington

15-year-old Leonardo Reid and a 23-year-old man died last Thursday in Archway.

15 year old Leonardo Reid and a 23 year old man were stabbed to death in Archway
Author: Aileen O'SullivanPublished 5th Jul 2023

Detectives investigating a double murder in Islington have charged a man.

27 year old Abel Chunda of Highgate Hill, N19 has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 5 July.

A 17 year old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, has been released on bail.

The families of victims 15-year-old Leonardo Reid and a 23-year-old man - have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

'Commotion' broke out during apparent filming for a music video

Shocked locals near Elthorne Road in Archway last week described how they were kept awake by a group of 40 youngsters who appeared to be recording a music video before a "commotion" broke out.

Police were called, along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service just after 23.30.

15-year-old Leonardo was pronounced dead at the scene, just after midnight.

The 23 year old victim was taken to hospital, but couldn't be saved.

Special post-mortem examinations for both victims have given a provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

A third victim, thought to be 28, was also found in N19 with a stab wound.

He was taken to a north London hospital where he remains. His condition is not thought to be life threatening.

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation, supported by colleagues from the Central North Command Unit.

A 46-year-old man was arrested on the afternoon of Saturday, 1 July on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He was taken to a north London police station and was subsequently released with no further action.

Anyone who has information that could help police should call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference CAD 9383/29Jun.

To remain 100% anonymous please call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Hear the latest news from across the UK every hour, on Jazz FM on DAB, smartspeaker, and on the Rayo app