Police and paramedics tried to save the victim’s life on Bodney Road just before 6pm on Tuesday
Tributes have been paid to a 20-year-old man who was fatally stabbed in Hackney, east London.
Police were called to Bodney Road just before 6pm on Tuesday following reports of an altercation. Upon arrival, officers and paramedics found Jason Junior Romeo, known locally as ‘LD’, with critical stab wounds. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene, just metres from Pembury Nursery and Pre-School, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
Two men, aged 23 and 25, were arrested later that evening on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.
A life cut short
A close family friend, speaking through tears, expressed her devastation at Jason’s death.
“The day before yesterday, I saw him. He gave me a massive hug,” she told The Standard.
“What did he do to deserve this? He was like family to me and my son. My son is at home – I can’t even tell him that this boy is dead.”
She described Jason as a “vulnerable” young man who had already endured deep personal loss.
“I saw this boy crying when his dad died. This boy is vulnerable. He’s a vulnerable boy.”
A childhood friend echoed her heartbreak, saying Jason had been a kind and well-liked young man.
“He was a good kid. He didn’t deserve it,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.
“This guy didn’t choose to do bad things. He was a good guy. He knew everyone. He was cool.
“He was a big guy, but he was super cool. I honestly can’t think of any reason why someone would want to hurt him.”
A neighbour added: “This kid had a good heart. He was a good person.”
A community in shock
The murder scene remained under police cordon on Wednesday as forensic teams combed the area for evidence. A police tent was erected metres away from Marden House estate, and officers could be seen searching grass verges around the Birchington House estate.
Residents described a growing sense of fear and frustration over escalating violence in Hackney.
“Youth violence has been a problem here for years,” said youth worker Reece Reddy, 23.
“It’s Hackney – it used to be called the ‘Murder Mile’. It’s unfortunate, but this is nothing new. I work in a young people’s service, and I see it too often. It’s devastating, but not surprising.”
Another neighbour described the area as increasingly unsafe.
“It’s scary. There was a shooting on the other side of the park recently. I feel sorry for the children who have to grow up here,” she said.
Patrick Azille, 60, who lives nearby, described a tense atmosphere within the community.
“It’s like an ember burning underneath. It can suddenly erupt. It’s dangerous,” he said.
Mr Azille knows the pain of knife crime personally.
“My cousin was stabbed to death in Victoria four years ago,” he said. “Now another young man’s life has been taken. His parents live on Bodney Road – I don’t know how they cope.”
A rising tide of violence
Jason Romeo’s death marks the fifth fatal stabbing in London so far this year.
Among the victims was 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa, who was stabbed 27 times on a bus in Woolwich on 7 January.
The past year has seen a spate of violent attacks in Hackney.
- A nine-year-old girl and three adults were injured in a shooting outside a Dalston restaurant on 29 May.
- Bus driver Derek Thomas, 53, was stabbed to death on his way home from work in Stoke Newington on 30 July.
- Pharrell Garcia, 15, was fatally stabbed while picking up his younger sister from school in Hackney Downs last summer.
- Lianne Gordon, 42, was killed in her home in Vine Close on 5 December, an innocent victim caught in a gang dispute.
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Police appeal and government response
Detective Superintendent Vicky Tunstall, leading the investigation, assured the community that officers are working tirelessly to bring justice to Jason’s family.
“Our thoughts are with the young man’s family at this incredibly difficult time,” she said.
“I am grateful to the people of Hackney for their patience while we conduct our enquiries. We know this is a distressing time for residents, and they can expect to see an increased police presence in the area.”
Although two arrests have been made, police are urging witnesses to come forward to help build a clearer picture of what happened.
Meanwhile, the Home Office announced a series of new anti-knife crime measures on Wednesday. Under Ronan’s Law—named after Ronan Kanda, who was murdered in a mistaken identity attack—retailers will be required to report bulk or suspicious knife sales to the police. Additionally, the maximum sentence for selling weapons to children or illegal knives such as zombie blades will be increased to two years in prison.
Despite these measures, many in Hackney feel little is changing.
As one shaken resident put it:
“We see the police after something terrible happens. But where are they before? Where is the help for these kids before they pick up a knife?”
For now, Jason’s loved ones are left grieving another young life lost too soon.
