Pictured: Boy, 17 stabbed to death in Bromley park as devastated friends pay tribute to 'quiet, good natured' pal

The killing comes just days after 17-year-old footballer Aren Mali was fatally knifed outside a Croydon shopping centre
The victim of a fatal stabbing in Bromley has been named locally as Michael Jonas
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A boy aged 17 was stabbed to death in a park in London last night, the second teenager to be murdered in the capital this week.

The victim was named locally as Michael Jonas with devastated friends and relatives saying he was “quiet and good natured.”

Police said they were called to Betts Park in Bromley at 7.22pm to reports of a young man being attacked.

Officers and paramedics rushed to the park and found the teenager suffering multiple stab wounds. Doctors from the Air Ambulance service worked desperately to revive him but he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 8.15pm.

Park attack: Forensic officers at the scene where the boy was stabbed (NIGEL HOWARD)
NIGEL HOWARD ©

The boy's father today posted an emotionally charged tribute online as detectives appealed for witnesses to the murder.

Writing on Facebook, the teenager's father Michael said: "RIP son daddy was was on his way but didn't get there in time. We will never get to do what we had planned. You died the same place you were born. The same park I took you to to ride your bike and watch you play."

The boy’s step-mother Kelly McPherson told the Standard: “The first thing I knew was when the police knocked on my door. They said there had been a stabbing and had I seen anything. My first thought was ‘oh no I hope it’s not Michael.’

“I rang his mobile three times and there was no answer. I knew it was him who had been stabbed, I just knew it. I called his father and ran to the scene. The police were everywhere, we are distraught, he was only 17.

“He was such a nice boy I brought him up as my own, I was always with him, we are heartbroken.”

Murder probe: Police and forensics at Betts Park (NIGEL HOWARD ©)
NIGEL HOWARD ©

She said the teenager’s father, a bus driver also called Michael, was devastated.

She said: “He is in shock he is trying to come to terms with it. We have no idea why this happened.”

A total of 22 teenagers have been murdered in London so far this year, 16 of whom have been stabbed.

Devastated relatives and friends gathered at the park near Anerley station in the early hours of this morning as forensics officers combed the area for evidence.

One said: “Michael was a caring boy. Quiet and good natured. He always wanted to change - he just didn’t know how.

“The trouble is there is nothing for the youth to do around here. There’s no community centres.”

A friend who was with Michael hours before he died today described him as a “humble, lovely guy”.

The friend said he had known him most of his life and had attended James Dixon primary school in Anerley with him.

He said: “I was chilling with him a few hours before. He was fine and his usual self. He was a humble, quiet guy putting his life back on track and didn’t have enemies I knew of.

“I just don’t know how this can have happened. He didn’t deserve to be stabbed, not him, it’s a total shock.

“I’ve know idea why he was in the park at that time he didn’t mention meeting anyone.”

Another friend said: “He was a cool guy. As a young black man myself I feel under threat. It’s really frightening.”

A woman who lives overlooking Betts Park said: “The park is a hot spot for bad things. It was only a matter of time till something serious went on over there.”

There have been no arrests.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Bromley Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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