Shaunie Investigates: Hoping For A Better 2019 🙏🏾

I have been hoping that 2019 does not see the same murder numbers in the UK like we saw last year.

We're already a quarter through the year and although the death toll is not the same as it was this time last year, the number is still high.

Fourteen people have died in knife-related incidents within the capital since the beginning of 2019, The most recent stabbing being a 17 year old Jodie Chesney, who was stabbed in the back in an East London park whilst she hung out with friends, listening to music and having fun.

"Can these young people no longer chill in the park without being worried about themselves or one of their friends ending up dead?"

The first two deaths in 2019 took place on New Year's Day. Charlotte Huggins, 33, who had an eleven year-old daughter, died after being stabbed at her childhood home in Camberwell, South London. Thirty-Four year-old Michael Rolle has been charged with Huggins' death and will stand trial at the Old Bailey on 1 July 2019.

On the same night, Romanian security guard, Tudor Simionov, 33, was killed whilst doing his job at an exclusive Park Lane members only club. Simionov was stabbed after not allowing a group of people into the venue where an alleged orgy-type party was being held.

Four People have been charged with Simionov's murder, however, a fifth suspect is said to be on the run.

Seven days after the murders of Huggins and Simionov, fourteen year-old Jaden Moodie was killed in  East London during an attack which is said to have lasted less than a minute. Eye-witnesses say they saw Moodie knocked from his moped and then stabbed by five men.

Jaden Moodie 

Moodie had recently moved with his family from Nottingham to London. According to reports, Moodie had moved from Nottingham due to him being involved with bad company, he had also been expelled from school due to a social media related issue but his family insist that he was not affiliated with any gangs.

Eighteen year-old Ayoub Majdouline has been charged with Moodie's murder and is due to stand court at the Old Bailey on 8 July 2019.

"The arrest of Majdouline was not documented nearly as much as the story of Moodie being on a moped. The focus on a 14 year-old riding a moped on the streets of London with the minimum age being 16 years-old seemed to be more of a headline than the fact that one of the suspects had been charged. Is this because the suspect is white and doesn't fit the narrative of what the media have of black people - only black people kill black people."

Le'Jean Richards 

Le'jean Richards, 19, was stabbed to death in Battersea, South London on 5th February 2019.

Roy Reyes-Nieves, 23 and his younger brother, Roger Roy Nieves, 18, have both been charged with murder. They will stand trial at the Old Bailey on 12th August 2019.

One of the most shocking deaths so far this year has to be the killing of Dennis Anderson, 39, in East Dulwich. Anderson was stabbed in the neck after allegedly being asked for a cigarette by the suspect, Jahmel Riley, 24.

Do you know how many times I've seen people being asked for a "spare" cigarette whilst on the road, standing outside of a shop?

My instant reply is always, "B&H don't usually give spares."  "If you buy a 20 pack then you ain't getting 21 in a pack."

Now I'm going to have to hide and smoke, because I'm not giving them away and I'm not dying for one either.

Bright Akinleye, 22, died after stumbling into the hotel foyer of an Euston hotel on 18th February 2019.

Reports advise that Akinleye had been stabbed during an argument at a residential property before staggering to the hotel where he collapsed and died.

Tashan Brewster, 30, has been charged with Akinleye's murder, whilst four men and seven women have been bailed until mid-march.

Glendon Spence

Glendon Spence, 23, was stabbed in front of terrified children at a youth club in Brixton, South London on 21st February 2019.

Two 17 year-old boys, who cannot be named because of their age, "but yet they're old enough to be suspects in a murder case", have been charged with Spence's murder.

Last year, the weapon of choice seemed to be the knife, but when suspects are using sawed-off shotguns and other powerful firearms, what happens next?

What can the police really do other than arm themselves in the same manner?

Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck, a 19 year-old father of a young daughter, was chased into a North London hairdressers by men wielding a firearm, knives and a samurai sword. He was stabbed to death and died on 22nd February 2019. Another Victim was shot, but his injuries are said to no longer be life threatening.

In 2017 at the age of seventeen, Gabbidon-Lynck was sentenced to 32 months in prison for possession with intent to supply a class A drug (Heroin), 32 custodial months in prison for possession with intent to supply a class A drug (Crack Cocaine),  and a 12 month custodial sentence for use or possessing a criminal property. "This shows the vicious life-cycle that I am becoming accustom to seeing and reading about."

Ché Morrison

Ché Morrison, 20, died after being stabbed outside Ilford station.

Florent Okende, 20, has been charged with the murder of Morrison and will make his first appearance in court on 4th March 2019.

Sending my prayers and condolescences to the family and friends of those who have recently passed and those who have passed on before. 🙏🏾♥️


RIP To Our Fallen Soldiers