School shock at killing of teen

04 March 2010

Olukorede Fajinmi

A FORMER St Edward's School pupil has been stabbed to death in a suspected gang fight outside an east London cinema.

Olukorede Fajinmi, 17, died from a single stab wound to the heart outside the Showcase Cinema in Barking on Friday, February 19.

Detectives believe Olukorede, known as Korede and from Park Avenue, Ilford, may have been involved in an earlier brawl at the nearby Powerleague football ground.

Korede attended St Edward's Church of England School in London Road, Romford, for five years, and left in 2008.

Staff at the school admitted his death has come as a huge shock and deputy headteacher Ian Raper said the school held a church service and said prayers for the teenager's family.

"Obviously we're all a bit shocked and saddened by the passing of a former student," he said.

"We certainly had no reason to think anything like this would happen. Korede was a quiet, average student."

More than 400 people have joined a Facebook Tribute page with many calling the young boy by his nickname, Shadow.

One message, from Jess-Amy Rambo Gambo Gambini says: "Rest in perfect peace babe. I'll always remember you from history and P.E.

"Hope you're having fun up there looking down on us all. See you up there."

Two boys aged 16 and 15 were arrested near the cinema and bailed until later this month.

Another 16-year-old boy, arrested the following day, has also been bailed.

Police say a connection with gang-related violence is one line of inquiry detectives are pursuing.

Det Insp Ian Goldsborough said: "We believe there will have been people in the area, either going to or from the Showcase cinema or the nearby restaurant, that may have seen or heard the incident that has led to the tragic death of a teenager.

"We are appealing to them, or anyone else who was in the area at the time of the incident, to contact us and lets us know what they saw or heard."

Any witnesses or anyone with any information that could assist police should call 020 8345 4142 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.