Boy, 15, is second teenager to be murdered in London this year

The third teenager to be stabbed to death in the UK in the space of a week has been named as 15-year-old Romario Opia.

Romario, known as Rom to his friends, was knifed in the chest as he walked to a chip shop after clashing with a youth following a long-running row, a family friend said yesterday.

The killer came out of a house, stabbed the ‘beautiful’ teenager then went back in, the friend claimed.

It came after Anas Mezenner, 17, died following a stabbing yards from his front door in Haringey, north London, on Tuesday of last week. Keon Lincoln, 15, was shot and stabbed to death by a gang in broad daylight outside his family home in Birmingham last Thursday.

Police were called to the latest attack in Islington, north London, at 5.30pm on Monday. An air ambulance crew tried to save Romario but he died at the scene. Forensics officers found a foot-long ‘zombie’ knife with a curved and serrated blade. 

Romario Opia, known as Rom to his friends, was knifed in the chest as he walked to a chip shop in Archway, Islington, on Monday evening

Carly Forrest, a lifelong friend of Romario’s mother, said he had a brother and sister. She added: ‘He was beautiful, fun, loving. He was always on his bike. I just wish I could take the pain away from his mum.’ 

The 40-year-old said she had heard Romario was walking to a fish and chip shop. She added: ‘I feel sick to my stomach. Apparently there was an altercation and he got stabbed in his chest. Just like that.

‘I’m told the boy came out of his house and stabbed him and ran back in his house.’ 

She said Romario’s mother rushed to the scene, adding: ‘It was too late by the time she got there. Police wouldn’t allow her to go near his body.’ 

Miss Forrest said he had been rowing with a boy, saying: ‘I’ve been told there’d been long-running arguments.’

One person was arrested on suspicion of affray, but Miss Forrest said the suspect was Romario’s friend.

Police guarded off the scene of Romario Opia’s murder in North London earlier today as a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of affray was released with no further action taken

Romario, 15, is the second teenager to be killed on London’s streets so far this year, following an unrelated fatal stabbing near Turnpike Lane station five days ago

Tributes have poured in for Romario, as one family friend said he was beautiful, fun and loving

Tributes were left on Facebook yesterday. Emmie Wheeler wrote: ‘Honestly can’t believe what I’m hearing. Rest in peace Romario. Forever 15.’ 

A dog walker, 50, who saw a forensics officer handling the zombie knife, said: ‘I’m shocked.’ 

Romario is understood to have been a pupil at Beacon High School in Holloway. Scotland Yard said police were called to a report of a stabbing and confirmed a teenage boy later died at the scene.

Zombie knives have been banned from being sold, imported or made in England and Wales since 2016 but can still be posted from eBay’s US site for around £30.

Police remained at the scene of Romario’s murder today as they appeal for witnesses to come forward. 

Ch Supt Raj Kohli, Commander of the Central North unit, said: ‘A young person’s life has been taken and our thoughts are with his family and friends who have lost someone very special to them.

‘I know our community will be shocked and upset by this incident. Our officers share your sadness, and we have a team dedicated to tracking down those who committed this.

‘Detectives from our specialist crime command will be making extensive enquiries and I would ask anyone who does know something to come forward and share that information.’

Police remained at the scene in Holland Walk, Archway, near Islington, earlier today as a murder investigation continued

Forensic officers arrived at the scene to investigate last night, following Romario’s death at around 5.30pm on Monday

Det Ch Insp Neil John, who leads the investigation, said: ‘My officers and I are committed to finding those responsible and bringing them to justice. There are people out there who know what happened last night, and I want them to come forward.

‘In particular, I’d like anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident to share that with us. Please get in touch with us, or anonymously with Crimestoppers, and help us track down those who did this.’ 

Police patrols are being stepped up around Archway following the death of Romario Opia, who was known to his friends as Rom 

A 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of affray has been released with no further action. 

Two boys, aged 16, have been charged with the murder of Anas Mezenner. 

Five teenage boys have been arrested over the murder of Keon Lincoln in Birmingham. 

A total of nine people have been murdered in London already this year, with two of the victims teenagers. 

A total of 17 teenagers were murdered in the capital in 2020.