Police have launched a murder investigation following a fatal stabbing in Brent Cross, north west London.
The incident is said to have happened after a group of males fighting within the centre, witnesses are asked to come forward with info.
Footage shared across social media shows police escorting some shoppers out of the building and an air ambulance landing in the car park outside.
It is believed, but not confirmed, that the stabbing happened inside a shop within Brent Cross Shopping Centre with officers seen rushing inside.
Met Police said this evening: “Police were called to Brent Cross Shopping Centre at 18:45hrs following reports of a group of males fighting.
“Officers attended and found a 21-year-old man who had been stabbed.
“First aid was started by officers and members of the public and the London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance were called.
“Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the man died at the scene. Efforts are under way to inform his next of kin.
“An 18-year-old man has been arrested nearby on suspicion of murder.
“A second man, also believed to be aged 18, has been arrested on suspicion of affray.”
Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, who is in charge of policing in north west London, said: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of the young man who has been killed in this incident.
“I would like to offer my thanks to the members of the public who came to his aid. They showed considerable courage.
“Two people have been arrested and an investigation is already under way. We will do all we can to identify and bring to justice those responsible.
“The public can expect to see a heightened police presence in the area through the rest of this evening and in the days to come.”
The shopping centre was open at the time of the incident and it is likely that there were a number of witnesses.
One person commented via the Harrow Online Facebook page saying: “When is this going to stop!
“This is madness and these people are getting braver and braver each and every day. There is no fear of punishment or sentence, they don’t care. They are ruthless individuals who think nothing of ruining lives including their own, where has it all gone so wrong?
“We can blame parents, schools etc but if there is no fear of punishment then we will continue to watch young people die on the streets of London every day.
“In years gone by when these tragic murders happened you would be so shocked that you would remember the name of the victims for years.
“Now it happens so bloody often that the poor souls have just become statistics and figures and there is nothing so sad as that.”
Anyone with information should call 101, providing the reference CAD6136/04MAY.
Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.
Met Police added that the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
Source: Met Police
