Police Seek Witnesses as Investigation Continues in East London

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a double stabbing in Hackney Wick has resulted in one man’s death and another in hospital. The Metropolitan Police reported that officers were called to an east London hospital around 4:30 AM, where two men arrived with knife wounds.

A 26-year-old man later succumbed to his injuries, while the condition of a 24-year-old man remains under formal assessment. Both victims were attacked on White Post Lane, which has since been cordoned off for forensic investigation.

No arrests have been made thus far. Matt Kruzynski, an employee at a nearby bar that has closed during the investigation, expressed his shock at the incident occurring in what he described as a “family-friendly area” that has significantly improved in recent years.

Standing near the police cordon, Kruzynski shared his sentiments with the PA news agency: “Hackney Wick is my local drinking spot. I spend a lot of time here. I have always felt very safe here. Nothing like this has ever happened while I’ve worked in Hackney Wick.”

He noted that, despite the area’s previous reputation, it has transformed, allowing late-night wanderings without fear. “It’s normal to see people pushing prams or taking their dogs for a walk at midnight,” he added.

The police cordon extends from a bridge over the River Lee Navigation, with visible evidence markers and what appeared to be blood splatters. By noon, the cordoned-off area was expanded to include Cadogan Close near Victoria Park, encompassing a footbridge over the river. Officers are currently patrolling the scene, while security teams manage pedestrian traffic, including football fans heading to the West Ham vs. Chelsea match at the nearby London Stadium. Traffic diversions have also affected local bus routes.

The Metropolitan Police are appealing for witnesses as detectives from the specialist crime unit lead the investigation. The family of the deceased 26-year-old has been notified, and formal identification, along with a post-mortem examination, will follow.

This tragic incident occurs against a backdrop of rising knife crime, as statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that the number of knife-related homicides in England and Wales reached the highest level in 76 years during 2021/22. The ONS reported that the increase was largely driven by an 18% rise in male victims, from 184 to 218, in the year leading up to March 2022.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police via 101, quoting reference 1222/11feb, or to reach out to Crimestoppers anonymously.

Native American Groups Call for Name and Logo Change

As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for their Super Bowl appearance, the campaign to change their name and logo is being reignited. Two years ago, while the Chiefs aimed for a second consecutive Super Bowl win in Tampa, Florida, demonstrators gathered outside the stadium to voice their concerns. Native American activists protested the team’s name, logo, and the associated “war chant,” which involves fans mimicking a Native American tomahawk gesture.

This year, as the Chiefs return to Super Bowl Sunday for the first time in two years, protests are planned once more. The group Arizona to Rally Against Native Mascots is organising a demonstration outside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. A news conference is scheduled for Thursday, featuring members from Kansas City Native advocacy organisations.

The fight against the appropriation of Native cultures and symbols has been ongoing for decades, impacting numerous sports teams. Many Indigenous people argue that such representations demean their communities and reinforce harmful stereotypes. In recent years, the movement has gained traction, especially after the racial reckoning following George Floyd’s murder in 2020. This has led several franchises to reassess their branding, including the Cleveland Indians, who changed their name to the Guardians and retired the Chief Wahoo logo.

Similarly, the Washington Football Team rebranded as the Commanders, dropping the Redskins name after significant pressure.

Despite ongoing dialogues, the Chiefs have not changed their name or popular fan rituals. Since 2013, they have engaged with the American Indian Community Working Group, resulting in some initiatives, such as inviting Cheyenne spiritual leaders to participate in games. In 2020, the Chiefs prohibited fans from wearing tribal headdresses and war paint at Arrowhead Stadium and modified the tomahawk “chop” to a closed fist gesture. However, Native American organisations have dismissed these changes as insufficient.

The franchise has also taken part in American Indian Heritage Month and recently featured a video with long snapper James Winchester from the Choctaw Nation, alongside centre Creed Humphrey from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

This year’s Super Bowl protest is particularly significant as it unfolds in a state where a quarter of the land is owned by Native Americans. The NFL has spotlighted its collaborations with Indigenous communities in Arizona. Notably, Lucinda Hinojos, an artist of Apache and Yaqui descent, is the first Native and Chicana artist to collaborate with the NFL, with her artwork featured on Super Bowl tickets and throughout the NFL Experience. Additionally, Colin Denny, a member of the Navajo Nation and a researcher at the University of Arizona, will perform “America the Beautiful” during the pre-show, using both American Sign Language and North American Indian Sign Language.

Inquest Reveals Heartbreaking Details Surrounding His Death

The inquest into Archie Battersbee’s death has heard that his mother believes her son died following an accidental fall from the banister at their home, resulting in a serious neck injury. Archie, aged 12, had his life support withdrawn on August 6, 2022, after his parents, Hollie Dance and Paul Battersbee, were unable to overturn a High Court ruling allowing doctors to do so.

During the first day of the inquest in Chelmsford, Ms Dance tearfully recounted finding Archie unconscious at their home in Southend, Essex, on April 7 last year. She described how she discovered her son unresponsive by the staircase and ran outside, crying for help. “I was crying hysterically, saying ‘please don’t leave mummy, I love you little man,’” she recalled.

When asked by Essex’s senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, how she believed her son died, Ms Dance responded, “I think he climbed on the banister and probably fell, causing serious injury to his neck, resulting in unconsciousness.” She firmly stated her belief that Archie’s death was an unfortunate accident.

Ms Dance described Archie as the “apple of my eye,” saying he was “well-loved” and “protected.” She mentioned that the separation between herself and Archie’s father had affected him, and that he had endured bullying at school, leading to his removal from mainstream education.

The inquest revealed that Archie had a passion for gymnastics and mixed martial arts (MMA), with his first fight scheduled just weeks before his death. Ms Dance shared that Archie “thought he was the next Spider-Man” and frequently climbed on things. Family members noted that he seemed “a bit bored” rather than distressed in the weeks leading up to the tragedy.

In response to questions about messages found on Archie’s phone, Ms Dance expressed her heartbreak and surprise, stating, “If there were any marks on his body, I would have seen them.” Doctors at the Royal London Hospital had believed Archie to be brain-stem dead and determined that continued life support was not in his best interests.

Previously, Ms Dance had suggested that Archie might have been participating in an online challenge at the time of his injury, which contributed to his brain damage. However, Mr Brookes indicated that he had seen no evidence of such participation during a preliminary inquest hearing in November, although police had found messages indicating Archie was experiencing a “very low mood.”

Police Search Uncovers Potential Evidence Related to His Death

An inquiry has revealed that police discovered indications of a potential disturbance when searching the home of Sheku Bayoh, who died after being restrained by officers. Detective Constable Robert Finch provided testimony regarding the investigation into Bayoh’s movements leading up to his death over seven years ago.

Sheku Bayoh, a 31-year-old father of two, died on May 3, 2015, after being restrained on the ground by six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife. The inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding his death, including whether race played a role.

During the proceedings, it was noted that on May 4, DC Finch was designated as the crime scene manager for both Bayoh’s residence and that of a friend. Investigators sought any evidence pertinent to the case. Laura Thomson, junior counsel for the inquiry, cited Finch’s statement detailing the search parameters.

Finch mentioned that while he wasn’t provided with specific information about relevant evidence, it was suggested that Bayoh may have had possession of a knife and that potential drugs were involved. He recounted hearing about purple and white pills that had been flushed down the toilet, and his team was on the lookout for any obvious signs of a knife set with a piece missing, alongside controlled substances.

He elaborated on the search’s purpose, stating, “We were looking for anything that could indicate Mr Bayoh’s movements leading up to that morning.”

Upon arriving at Bayoh’s home around 7:20 PM on May 4, Finch observed signs suggesting a disturbance. Thomson referred to his statement, noting that fridge magnets were found on the floor and outside the property, alongside a broken watch strap and a small flat-screen television that appeared to have been knocked over.

While Finch acknowledged these signs, he indicated he could not recall any other evidence of disturbance. He also mentioned seizing three knives from the kitchen, as well as a red rucksack containing various tablets.

Sheku Bayoh, originally from Sierra Leone, relocated to the UK at the age of 12 and later moved to Scotland after living in London for five years. The inquiry, overseen by Lord Bracadale, is set to continue on Wednesday.