Teenager convicted of murder of 16-year-old friend in ‘unprovoked’ attack

A teenager who fatally stabbed his 16-year-old friend in Lambeth has been convicted of murder.

Juhvaine Elliott, 18, of Brixton Water Lane, Brixton, has been found guilty after a trial at Southwark Crown Court. He will be sentenced on December 8.

Elliott was caught by police as he tried to escape the country on a flight to Jamaica shortly after he murdered his friend.

Elliott attacked Rommel McKoy, the victim, in Hicken Road, Brixton on April 4, 2022.

CCTV footage shows Elliott run at Rommel as he pulls out a knife and then the pair go out of view.

Rommel stumbled towards St Mathew’s Road, Brixton, where members of the public tried to save him before he was treated by air ambulance staff and transferred to King’s College Hospital.

Rommel died in hospital on April 22, 2022 due to his stab injuries.

Homicide detectives identified Elliott via CCTV that showed him wearing a distinctive lightweight blue and white jacket. Witnesses also stated that he was the person who stabbed Rommel.

A search warrant was carried out at Elliott’s home on April 21, 2022, but he was not there. 

Later that day, detectives found out Elliott was boarding a flight at Gatwick airport to Montego Bay, Jamaica. 

Airport security was contacted and the plane was stopped. Elliott was arrested and taken into custody.

He provided a series of mainly “no comment” interviews, before he was charged with murder on May 10, 2022.

Detective Inspector Jason Fitzpatrick said: “Another young life has been lost on the streets of London as a result of knife crime.

“Elliott had been friends with Rommel but that did not stop him from launching an unprovoked, fatal attack on him.

“Rommel’s death has left his friends and family devastated. Elliott will now spend a long period of his young life in custody.”

Pictured top: Juhvaine Elliott and Rommel McKoy (Picture: The Met)