London – Two teenage boys, both aged 16, have been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Keiron Charles, who was fatally stabbed in broad daylight in Shepherd’s Bush, west London. The teenagers are due to appear in custody at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Monday.
Keiron, who was from East Acton, was stabbed at around 1.10pm on Saturday (April 5) in Erconwald Street, near the busy junction with Du Cane Road and Old Oak Common Lane. The incident unfolded during what police described as a street brawl involving a group of teenagers.
The Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service were quickly on the scene, where they discovered two teenage boys with stab wounds. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Keiron was pronounced dead at the scene. His devastated family is being supported by specially trained officers.
A second 16-year-old was rushed to hospital with stab injuries but was later discharged and immediately arrested on suspicion of murder. A third 16-year-old, who had fled the scene, was arrested in the early hours of Sunday. Both boys were charged in the early hours of Monday morning and remain in custody.
In a statement, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, who is leading the investigation, said:
“This is an awful incident in which a teenager has lost his life. The thoughts of everyone in the Met remain with Keiron’s family and loved ones as they begin to come to terms with their tragic loss.
“Detectives have worked around the clock to follow every possible available line of inquiry and I’m pleased that we have made two arrests as part of our early inquiries.
“While we are working hard to understand the exact circumstances, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident at this stage.”
The fatal stabbing has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many residents mourning the loss of another young life to knife crime.
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Political and public reaction
Rupa Huq, Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, expressed her sorrow and frustration at the tragedy. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), she said:
“Deeply saddened at the news of a fatal stabbing. Keiron Charles was my constituent and just 17.
He had his whole life ahead of him. My heart goes out to his family and all who knew him.”
Local residents and community leaders have described Keiron as a “quiet and kind-hearted young man” with ambitions to study engineering. A small shrine with candles, flowers, and handwritten notes has begun to grow near the site of the stabbing, as friends and neighbours struggle to come to terms with the loss.
One woman, who lives nearby and asked not to be named, said:
“It’s heartbreaking. These young boys are meant to be at school, building their future — not lying in the street dying. Something has to change.”
Police appeal for information
The Met Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information — including mobile footage or dashcam recordings — to come forward.
A spokesperson said:
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the Erconwald Street area around 1pm on Saturday. If you saw anything suspicious, no matter how small it may seem, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 0207 175 2206 quoting reference 3435/05APR, or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
As the investigation continues, the community remains united in grief, with calls for stronger preventative measures and urgent action to tackle youth violence in London.
