Police name boy, 16, stabbed to death in Greenwich pictured for first time:

Kearne Solanke was one of two 16-year-old boys stabbed to death in attacks just a mile apart.

One of the two 16-year-old boys stabbed to death on Saturday night in Greenwich has been pictured. A photo shared by family shows a smiling Kearne Solanke.

Officers were called at 5.10pm on Saturday to reports of two people injured in two locations approximately a mile apart - one was Sewell Road in Abbey Wood and the other was Titmuss Avenue in Thamesmead.

Officers and paramedics rushed to the scenes and at both locations found the boys suffering stab injuries. Despite their best efforts both boys died at the scene. The Met Police have now named the two young victims in an update on Sunday afternoon (November 27). One was Kearne, the other was Charlie Bartolo. Their families have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.

Kearne was one of the two boys killed within a mile of each other on Saturday Night:

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Kearnes devastated friends and family have taken to social media to share tributes to him. His grandmother wrote: "He was loved by all that new him RIP Kearne Solanke my handsome grandson still hasn’t sunk in."

Another family member said: "Rest in perfect paradise our beautiful Kearne thinking of all my family at this awful time." Another added: "Can’t believe this has even happened, Taken way to soon, Good Night Kearne Solanke RIP you Beautiful Boy You didn’t deserve this." Others remember Kearne as 'a funny and sweet boy'.

Detective Superintendent Richard McDonagh, speaking at the scene of one of the incidents, told reporters: “Homicide colleagues are investigating and are treating the two murders as linked. I can assure everybody affected by these murders that skilled detectives will work tirelessly to discover what happened and provide answers to the young victims and families.

“Officers are especially keen to hear from anyone who might have seen a dark-coloured SUV or 4X4 type with distinctive silver roof bars in the areas around Sewell Road or Titmuss Avenue in the days prior to the murders. We have already heard from a number of witnesses and I’m grateful to them.”

Crime scenes remained in place at both locations on Sunday, with police guarding the cordons. Several teenage boys laid flowers by the cordon in Titmuss Avenue, where a forensics tent could be seen by some knocked over dustbins. One was tearful as he placed a red love-heart balloon alongside them.

Officers later cordoned off a black Nissan and one said it is a “car of interest” in the investigation. Mr McDonagh said he joins the community in “being deeply saddened and outraged by the senseless murders”.

Local residents spoke of their dismay at the murders. Bamidele Folorunso, a neighbour who did not give her age but lives nearby and was on the way to church, told the PA news agency: “It is very sad. We just found out the boy was on the floor and the police came and they tried to resuscitate him.”

A visibly upset Ms Folorunso said: “Since then, everyone in the area has been mourning. It is very sad to lose a 16-year-old boy.” Victor, 30, a football manager, who says he went to school with the victim’s mother, said the stabbing was “not normal” for the area but things have been getting worse in recent years. There is a lot of stuff going on on the street with the young kids – it’s due to the lack of youth centres.

“There is not really a place where kids say ‘this is a safe environment’. I’ve got three kids. I went and told my partner (about the stabbing) and she said ‘I want to get out of here’.”

Teresa Cheshire, 50, who also lives on the road, said her children walk down the road every day. She said: “I just saw a lot of people by the bin shed. All I heard was the screaming and that was at 5.20pm. It is scary because it is all the press and everything but it is for all the wrong reasons. I’m frightened to let my kids outside now. It’s just shocking.”

Did you know Kearne? Would you like to share a tribute to him? Get in touch at: citydesk@vpnldn.co.uk