‘He looked so young’: Croydon residents left shocked by ‘horrendous’ killing of man in 20s

Residents who witnessed a “horrendous” stabbing which killed a man in his 20s last night have described the shocking events.

The man is believed to have been stabbed in Mayo Road, Croydon, before trying to escape his attackers and running into the nearby Pawsons Arms pub.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, saw the altercation. He said two young men attacked the victim with a large knife on the corner of Northbrook Road at around 7.45pm.

The victim then ran down Mayo Road into the Pawsons Arms pub to get help, the neighbour said.

The neighbour said: “As he turned the corner they stabbed him with a machete knife. I’ve never seen a knife so big.

“I tried to take a picture of the man holding the knife but they started to come towards me, so I backed off.”

The witness said he saw the victim take his jacket off before entering the pub. The witness then called the police and ambulance services.

He added: “I didn’t think he would survive, the way he was losing his breath and going in and out of consciousness.

“He didn’t look panicked. I guess when people are dying they just get this strange look.

“He just looked so young. It was all so sudden.”

The man was taken to hospital, but despite the efforts of the emergency services, he was pronounced dead a short time later. A murder investigation is now under way.

The Met said they were called at around 7.45pm last night to reports of a man suffering from stab injuries. Officers, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance all attended the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem will be scheduled in due course.

Another bystander said: “It must have been awful for the people inside. Apparently it was horrendous.

“The bartender is such a young girl, apparently she was in pieces.”

The Met said at this early stage it is believed the man sustained his injuries following an altercation in nearby Mayo Road.

So far there have been no arrests.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 6826/23May. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Pictured top: Flowers left at the scene in Pawsons Road, Croydon (Picture: Claudia Lee)