Killings in London hits 100: Terrible toll reaches milestone after boy, 15, dies week after being stabbed

The number of killings in London this year reached the milestone of 100 today as a teenager stabbed in the street in broad daylight lost his fight for life in hospital.

Perry Jordan Brammer, 15, was attacked just after 11am on the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham one week ago. His life support was switched off yesterday.

Perry was the 20th teenage to be killed in the capital this year, 18 of whom were stabbed, and the sixth in the past month.

Richard Taylor, 70, father of Damilola Taylor, who was 10 when he was stabbed to death in 2000, said: “This is nothing but a national crisis. Some teenagers see either being murdered or killing another person as a rite of passage when that used to be getting a job or going to university.”

Detectives believe Perry was ambushed by a suspect who fled on a yellow bicycle which was later found dumped in a nearby alleyway.

He is the son of veteran reggae DJ Robert Brammer, who rose to fame in the Eighties under the name Clint Eastwood and formed a successful duo with DJ General Saint.

A relative who said Perry was her nephew posted a tribute online, which read: “RIP beautiful boy. I will always love you and always be here for your brothers, sisters, mum and dad. Sleep free from pain now.”

Detectives investigating Perry’s killing arrested two men early today.

A 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder and a 25-year-old on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both remain in custody at a north London police station.

Three men aged 20, 21 and 24, and a 17-year-old boy, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder have been released with no further action being taken, police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is leading the investigation, said: “This attack happened in broad daylight and we believe there are people out there who know what happened. This was a sustained attack which has led to a boy aged just 15 losing his life.”

By the same week last year, the 100 milestone had also been reached. Rising levels of gun and knife crime resulted in 134 killings across 2018, the highest figure in a decade.

Mr Taylor, whose son was killed in Peckham in November 2000, said: “It’s so upsetting that all these lives have been lost in London. The faces of the young victims will haunt us all.

“But for some reason we are not getting through to teenagers who are not only on the streets armed with knives but prepared to use them to end a life.”

Perry’s death is the latest in a spate of teenage murders in the capital since mid-August.

A 16-year-old will appear in court today accused of murdering Michael Irving, 15, from Woolwich, who was knifed during a fight in Byford Close in Stratford at 6.45pm on Tuesday.

Santino Angelo Dymiter, 18, from Plaistow, was stabbed to death in Chadd Green, east London, on August 26.

The week before, Amrou Greenidge, also 18, died in hospital after being deliberately knocked off his bike by a vehicle in Fulham on August 18 and attacked as he lay on the ground.

Solomon Small, 18, was knifed to death in Corrance Road, Brixton, on August 15. Three days earlier Alex Smith, 16, died after being repeatedly stabbed with a machete in Munster Square, Camden.

Anyone with information on Perry’s killing is asked to call police on 101 quoting 2902/30AUG, the incident room on 0208 358 0100 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.