Parents of murdered schoolboy thank woman

1:52pm Saturday 5th July 2008

Comments (2)   Have your say »

The parents of the 16-year-old killed in Thornton Heath have thanked the woman who tried desperately to save him.

Last night the parents of Shakilus Townsend, from Tanners Hill, Deptford, visited the scene of his death in Beulah Crescent. He was repeatedly stabbed and beaten with a baseball bat last Thursday and died the next day.

His mum Nicola Dyer and dad Derek thanked mum-of-four Sharon Simpson, 47, for her brave actions.

There have been no arrests made in relation to the killing.

Ms Simpson said: "There was crying and pain. They said he was a very happy guy, he was nice."

She said she saw two teenage boys, whose faces were covered, beating Shakilus with a baseball bat and kicking and punching him as he lay on the ground.

"I said to them don't slap him, don't hit him at all. I said leave him alone," she said.

"I thought that could have been one of mine. I tried to save him but I couldn't."

Police described the incident as a "planned and targeted attack" by a group of three male youths wearing hooded tops and bandanas and a girl in a floral dress.

Reports today suggested the killing was a "honeytrap murder" and that the girl involved arranged to meet Shakilus near a church to lead him to the other youths who were planning to attack him.

It is thought he could have been killed for making a pass at the girl, who was dating a gang member.

Shakilus was the 18th teenager to be killed in London this year.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, who is leading the murder investigation, said: "I would urge those people to come forward and speak to the police, to help us bring justice to Shakilus' family and friends.

"I would reassure those witnesses that if you come forward you will be dealt with professionally and in confidence by officers from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

"We have a 92 per cent detection rate for knife murders. If you come forward, your evidence will help take dangerous individuals out of your community and help deliver justice to the community."

Yesterday the Met announced that a 75-strong team of police officers dedicated to targeting gangs will take to the streets of London in a bid to tackle knife crime.

To contact the investigation team with information about the stabbing call 020 8721 4205 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.