A 22-year-old man yesterday died in hospital from stab wounds suffered in an affray in Valley Retail Park the early hours of the morning of February 15, which saw two other men require hospital treatment and multiple arrests.
Murder scene: Valley Retail Park, off Purley Way, was closed all yesterday
Valley Retail Park, off the Purley Way, with its large Vue cinema, bowling alley, shops and restaurants, remained closed yesterday as the Metropolitan Police treated it as a crime scene.
By this morning, the Met had not yet named the dead man, though his next of kin had been informed.
According to the Met, they were called out to reports of a stabbing at 1.15am on Sunday. The police and London Ambulance Service attended the scene and found three men with stab wounds.
One died despite emergency hospital treatment.
The two other men found stabbed, both aged 21, were also taken to hospital. One has injuries which the Met says “are believed to be life-threatening”.
The police said: “They have both since been arrested on suspicion of affray. The man with potential life-threatening injuries remains in hospital while the other has been taken into police custody.”
Two women, both aged 25, and a 28-year-old man were arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.
“Additionally, two further women, aged 21 and 22, were later arrested on suspicion of affray. The 21-year-old woman has been bailed while enquiries continue and the 22-year-old woman remains in police custody,” the Met said.
Investigation: Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who is leading this investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family at this hugely difficult time, we cannot begin to imagine what they are going through.
“We understand that this incident will be distressing to the local community. My officers continue to work at pace to unpick the events that unfolded and to apprehend those responsible. We urge anyone who may have knowledge of the incident to get in touch with police immediately.”
- Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting ref CAD511/15Feb. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can speak to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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