A man believed to be a worker at a newsagents was stabbed to death during a robbery in north-west London, police have said.
Scotland Yard said the man is thought to have been opening the shop in Pinner at about 6am on Sunday when he was attacked.
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene but the man was pronounced dead at 6.46am.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe, of the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, called the incident a “violent robbery that escalated”.
He said: "I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around Marsh Lane this morning and saw anything of interest to contact police.
"This was a violent robbery that has escalated, resulting in the murder of a man.
"It appears the till was stolen from the shop during this robbery and this may have been discarded by the suspect. If you have come across this, we want to hear from you.
"I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a black Vauxhall Astra that was driven away at speed, south down Cecil Park immediately after the attack.
"We think that car was parked in Cecil Park prior to the murder - if you saw this, or have any other information that could help us progress this investigation, I would urge you to get in contact."
A large section of Marsh Lane was cordoned off on Sunday morning while a forensics tent was erected outside Costa Coffee and the off-licence.
Local business owner Peter Brook, 55, said there were a few employees from the newsagents who delivered the morning papers to local businesses.
He said they were all "kind, polite and so committed to working in the local community".
Mr Brook, who has lived in Pinner for nearly two decades, added: "People sometimes don't appreciate the people who come out at 5am to deliver a service to the local community.
"When people like that are murdered going about their job it's such a tragedy."
The Metropolitan Police said enquiries were under way to identify the victim and his next of kin.
No arrests have been made.
Five other people were stabbed on Saturday night and Sunday morning across the capital, including a 13-year-old boy in Brixton, south London.
Police are asking anyone with information to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
