Croydon rush hour stabbing victim named as 16-year-old boy

28 January 2020, 09:57

The victim of a rush hour stabbing at a London train station has been named as a 16-year-old boy.

Louis Johnson was knifed to death inside East Croydon station yesterday at around 4.45pm.

Detectives said Louis was seen entering the station around 15 minutes earlier, before crossing on the overbridge where he met the suspect who immediately pulled out the weapon and stabbed him.

The altercation lasted no longer than 40 seconds.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, with two ambulances, two emergency response vehicles, an advanced paramedic and the Air Ambulance scrambling to save the teen's life.

DCI Sam Blackburn is now appealing for anyone who may have seen what happened to get in touch.

“This was a senseless killing at an extremely busy time of the day, and my thoughts are with Louis’s family at this painfully difficult time. 

“For such a young man to lose his life in these circumstances is truly devastating, and I would like to reassure everyone that a thorough investigation is well underway. 

“With that in mind, we continue to appeal for anyone with information to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

"The incident was over within a matter of 40 seconds, but I know many other passengers or members of the public would have seen what happened. If you have not already spoken with police, please get in touch.

“Importantly, if you have any mobile phone or dashcam footage of the East Croydon area either just before, during or after the attack – we want to hear from you.”

Throughout the day, British Transport Police will be increasing patrols in the East Croydon area to help reassure the travelling public. 

You can contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 395 of 27/01/2020.

Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.