Postcode gang ‘tried to kill’ London schoolboy, 16, for being on their turf weeks before he was knifed to death – as it’s revealed his family fled area last year after two attacks on their home
- Drekwon Patterson was left for dead by attackers who ambushed him in Brent
- Police believe the four hooded thugs drove the black Ford Mondeo into teenager
- His friend Ty said only a few weeks ago they were chased off turf by a gang
A 16-year-old schoolboy stabbed to death by thugs had only weeks earlier been chased by a gang for straying onto their turf, his friend told MailOnline.
Drekwon Patterson was ambushed by four hooded attackers in Brent, northwest London, around 11.30pm last Thursday.
Police believe they tried to mow him down with a Ford Mondeo before pursuing him on foot, knifing him repeatedly and leaving him to die on the pavement.
Today it emerged that Drekwon’s family had only recently moved house for safety after an attack in November.
Postcode violence in the area is rife, according to Ty, a friend of tragic Harrow College pupil who recalled a recently frightening episode.
Ty said: ‘It was only a few weeks ago and we were walking back to the estate when some guys stopped us and asked us where we were from.
‘They chased us, screaming they were going to kill us for being in their ends. It happens around here all the time. There’s a lot of post code violence around here.’
Drekwon Patterson, 16, was left for dead by the attackers who ambushed him in Brent, northwest London, last Thursday night
Ty has had some social media contact with Derkwon’s twin brother. He said: ‘The family are very shocked and have gone into 9 days of mourning.
‘Derkwon’s death is tragic because his parents decided to move from here because they wanted their kids to be safe.
‘Derkwon was not affiliated to any gang, I can promise you that. He was very funny and a proper entertainer. He loved making us laugh. He was very street smart and I’m going to miss him a lot.’
Police believe the thugs drove the black Ford Mondeo into the teenager before chasing him down Preston Street and knifing him.
Harrowing CCTV footage shows Drekwon desperately trying to get the attention of passing motorists – but tragically going unanswered.
A local shopkeeper said: ‘The boy was waving for help but no one stopped. It is heartbreaking.’
The gang were later caught on camera piling back into the car, which was later found burned out by officers in a nearby park.
Drekwon, one of eight children from the Wembley area, was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead the next day, sparking London’s 15th murder probe of the year so far.
Scotland Yard has not yet made any arrests and have launched a hunt for Drekwon’s killers, releasing images of a car and a van in relation to their investigation.
They are appealing for information about a car seen driving from the scene which was later discovered burnt out.
Police believe the four hooded thugs drove the black Ford Mondeo into the teenager before chasing him down Preston Street and knifing him
The officer said police are also keen to trace the driver of a van which was seen on CCTV stopping briefly near the scene
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, from the Metropolitan Police, said: ‘I need to hear from any witnesses or anyone with information about this tragic murder – if you know anything that may be significant, please get in touch.
‘In particular, I need to find out more information about a car – a black Ford Mondeo, using registration number YR54 NHN – which was seen on CCTV driving away from the scene and found burnt out in Silver Jubilee Park, NW9 on Friday 19 February.
‘I believe this car was used in an initial attempt to injure Drekwon in a collision on Preston Road.
‘After the Mondeo had been driven at him, Drekwon ran away and was chased by four suspects who had got out of the car, before being caught and fatally stabbed.’
He said the car is a ‘key line of inquiry’ and described it as ‘a fairly large vehicle and quite old, so it would have been noticed’.
The officer said police are also keen to trace the driver of a van which was seen on CCTV stopping briefly near the scene.
He said: ‘I am appealing for that driver to please come forward as a witness.’
According to The Sun, Drekwon pleaded with a stationary van driver for help after the thugs had made off, but was ignored.
Police are braced for a spike in violent crime this summer as lockdown is eased and society gets back to normal.
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