A man who was stabbed to death in Greenwich thought two moped-riding attackers were joking when they pulled out a gun and demanded his phone, a witness has claimed.
The 31-year-old was fatally wounded during a clash in which shots were also fired in the town centre in the early hours of Saturday.
The victim had first been approached by the attackers in King William Walk at 12.15am, police said.
A witness told the Independent that the man had been walking home from a nearby jazz bar with friends when the moped-riders accosted them and produced a gun.
He reportedly thought they were joking until they demanded his smartphone and his friend began yelling “run”.
The victim was then fatally stabbed, while up to ten gunshots are also believed to have been fired.
The female witness, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Independent: “It seemed like they had just been waiting for somebody to walk down the street, and because these people thought that the riders were joking it escalated and somebody died.
“The people that were with him were in so much shock and one of them kept saying they just thought it was a joke.”
The woman, who had also been walking home with a friend, said she rushed over to help the victim after he staggered - covered in blood – to a nearby doorway.
Despite the efforts of the police and the London Ambulance Service, he was declared dead at the scene. Police confirmed that his next of kin have been informed.
The killers escaped on their mopeds before the emergency services arrived on the scene.
Detectives launched a murder investigation and said they "retain an open mind as to the motive" of the horrific attack.
Detective Inspector Jo Sidaway, who is leading the investigation, said: "At this early stage it is understood the victim was approached on King William Walk by two suspects on a moped.
"One suspect is believed to have been in possession of what appeared to be a firearm, the other a knife.
"During an altercation between the suspects and the victim, the victim was stabbed. The suspected firearm was discharged but enquiries continue regarding this.
"The suspects then fled the scene on the moped, and the victim then managed to make his way to a nearby address to ask for help. He was later pronounced dead there.
"I am appealing for any witnesses to any part of the incident, or anyone with any information, to contact our incident room and assist our investigation."
Anyone that can assist the investigation can contact the incident room on 020 8721 4005, or police via 101 or Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
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