Youths filmed fatal stabbing of 14-year-old on mobile phones
Youths used mobile phones to film the murder of a 14-year-old boy in north London as children played nearby, it was revealed today.
They videoed the fight between Leroy James and at least two other children after a confrontation between gangs was organised using Facebook and BlackBerry Messenger.
Leroy died from a single stab wound to the chest in front of friends in Ponders End recreation ground in Enfield on Wednesday.
He was found slumped on a basketball court as children as young as nine enjoyed football training nearby.
Last night two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, were arrested in connection with the murder. Police sources described the arrests as "significant".
His girlfriend today paid an emotional tribute to the schoolboy calling him her "brave soldier".
The teenager, calling herself Kerry Papaya, expressed her devastation at his death on Facebook. More than 1,500 people have signed up to a page honouring the 14-year-old.
Writing on the site, Kerry said: "Leroy, the day you died was the day our relationship came to an end, and it would have started again when I came back from Spain but some paigon [snake] had to take your life.
"You don't understand how much I'm going to miss you, I know I can't bring you back but I'm wishing you all the best Thank you for being in my life, I wish it could have lasted longer. Be brave my soldier, I'll pray for you. R.I.P. Leroy - I love you."
It emerged today that Leroy may have been warned someone was planning to attack him, but dismissed it as "a joke". Police sources say Leroy was not known as a gang member though he is believed to have been in trouble and had friends who were in gangs.
His father, also called Leroy James, 41, a scrap metal dealer, said he did not know why anyone would want to hurt his "quiet" son. He said: "Leroy had no enemies that he spoke of to me. I am just trying to keep sane."
Leroy lived with his father and step-mother and younger sister in nearby Edmonton. His mother and two older sisters live in Jamaica. Despite his family insisting the 14-year-old was not a troublemaker, it is believed he was expelled from his previous school, Nightingale Academy, formerly the Salisbury School, before moving to Aylward Academy.
Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Goode, who is leading the investigation, said witnesses saw him having an "altercation" with another boy. She said there was no evidence the murder was gang-related and that police were "completely open-minded" as to the motive.
She added: "People who were there will know who has done this. We want to hear from anyone who was in the park at 5.30pm and can help us. A lot of people were in the park and there'll be a lot of talk in the community. We plead with people to come forward."
