A man who saw the aftermath of a fatal stabbing believes he saw police performing CPR on the teenage victim for almost half an hour.
Police were called to reports of a stabbing at the junction between Stroud Green Road and Tollington Park, Finsbury Park, just before 3am this morning (July 11). A 19-year-old man later died at the scene.
Brent Naylor, who lives above Varosi estate agents in Tollington Park, told the Islington Gazette that he was watching TV in the early hours of the morning when he heard a “commotion” outside.
When he went to his window, officers and paramedics were already at the scene and a man was lying in the road outside Tollington’s fish bar.
Brent said: "I saw a blue car in the road with its doors open, but wasn't quite sure it was involved or just an unmarked police car.
"The police immediately performed CPR on a man lying on the floor for about 25 minutes.”
This afternoon, a white tent could be seen in Tollington Park, while forensics investigators moved between a blue car in the road and the pavement outside the fish bar.
Police had cordoned off the road from the junction with Stroud Green Road and Charteris Road.
An officer at the scene said that the stabbing was not related to any of the shops in the road, and that it had happened outside on the pavement.
Many people walking past the cordon had not heard about what had happened, and reacted in shock when told that a young man had died.
Mary Downey, who lives in Crouch Hill, said news of the stabbing was “so sad”.
She added: “It’s a young life wasted. It’s so sad, isn’t it.
“You have to be careful, but I’m not out at that time of night.”
Mary said that the latest stabbing was worrying, as it comes a month after a man aged in his 30s was stabbed nearby outside Finsbury Park station.
Another man, who did not want to be named, said that violence was now “everywhere”, referencing the three women who were killed in a crossbow attack in Bushey on Tuesday (July 9).
The man, who lives in Tollington Park, added: “Seriously, we need more police on the streets.
“When you see coppers walking around together, that’s a nice feeling”.
No arrests have been made so far in the police investigation. The victim’s next of kin has been informed of his death.
Anyone with information that could assist police at this early stage is asked to call 101 quoting reference CAD873/11Jul.
You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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