In Croydon, South London, a 17-year-old male has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old girl, Elianne Andam, who was attacked on her way to school. The incident occurred near the Whitgift shopping center during Wednesday morning’s rush hour.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday that the teenager, whose identity has been withheld, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife. The accused appeared in a youth court at Croydon Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody. He is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on October 3.
Police responded swiftly to the incident on Wellesley Road, arriving within two minutes. However, Elianne was pronounced dead at the scene around 9:20 a.m. The victim’s family expressed their grief in a statement, describing Elianne as the “light of our lives” and a girl full of “hopes and dreams for the future,” all of which have been tragically cut short.
The Metropolitan Police arrested the suspect within an hour of the incident. According to reports, Andam was attacked after alighting from a bus with her friends. The police have gathered CCTV footage from the crime scene and have interviewed several witnesses.
The crime has sparked widespread attention and outrage. Notable figures, including actor Idris Elba and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have publicly condemned the attack. Elba called for “tougher deterrents and punishments” for those who carry weapons in an emotional Instagram post.
Eyewitness accounts paint a chilling picture of the incident. Victor Asare, a security worker near the scene, described the horrific sight to the BBC. Anthony King, chairman of My Ends, a violence prevention organization in London, revealed that local community groups had been aware of the suspect for some time.