Two 16-year-old boys killed in ‘connected’ murders are named

The murders of two 16-year-old boys in south-east London on Saturday are linked, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The teenagers were fatally stabbed just a mile apart, in Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, and Titmuss Avenue in Thamesmead.

The 16-year-old boys were named by police today as Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke.

Officers were called out at about 5.10pm to reports that people had been injured at both locations.

Mr Bartolo was stabbed on Sewell Road in Abbey Wood and Mr Solanke was found on Titmuss Avenue, the Met said.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, both boys were pronounced dead.

Police have since launched a murder investigation and keen to speak to anyone who might have witnessed the attacks.

Officers are on the hunt for a dark-coloured SUV-type vehicle in the area, which they believe may have been linked to the crimes.

Detective superintendent Richard McDonagh, speaking at the scene of one of the incidents, told reporters: ‘Homicide colleagues are investigating and are treating the two murders as linked.

‘I can assure everybody affected by these murders that skilled detectives will work tirelessly to discover what happened and provide answers to the young victims and families.’

He added: ‘Officers are especially keen to hear from anyone who might have seen a dark-coloured SUV or 4X4 type with distinctive silver roof bars in the areas around Sewell Road or Titmuss Avenue in the days prior to the murders.

‘We have already heard from a number of witnesses and I’m grateful to them.’

Crime scenes remained in place at both locations on Sunday, with police guarding the cordons.

Several teenage boys laid flowers by the cordon in Titmuss Avenue, where a forensics tent could be seen by some knocked over dustbins.

One was tearful as he placed a red love-heart balloon alongside them.

Officers later cordoned off a black Nissan and one said it is a ‘car of interest’ in the investigation.

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