Teenager found guilty of fatal stabbing attack on boy who sold him crossbow

A teenager has been found guilty of murdering a 17-year-old boy in a fatal stabbing attack last year.

Victor Lee, from North Acton, was stabbed in Scrubs Lane, North Kensington, and pushed into the Grand Union Canal, at around 5.30pm on June 25, 2023.

Despite witnesses rescuing him from the water and emergency treatment by police officers and ambulance colleagues, he died at the scene.

Elijah Gookol-Mely, 18, of Australia Road, Shepherds Bush, was found guilty of murder by a majority verdict on Monday, following a trial at the Old Bailey. He will be sentenced at the same court on Friday.

The Met linked Gookol-Mely to the murder through analysis of mobile phones, CCTV from the crime scene, accounts from witnesses and forensic evidence obtained from the scene and from Victor’s stolen bag, which had been discarded nearby.

A knife was recovered from Gookol-Mely’s home address which had traces of Victor’s blood and the defendant’s DNA on it.

Gookol-Mely was arrested along with two other teenagers on June 30, 2023. Officers charged each of them the following day with murder and robbery.

The two other teenagers, aged 14 and 15, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were found not guilty of murder and robbery following the conclusion of the trial.

Detectives established that robbery was the motive for the brutal attack, with Gookol-Mely stealing Victor’s bike and his rucksack, which contained a number of knives.

Victor had met his killer having developed an interest in buying weapons online which he wanted to sell for profit.

CCTV footage shows Gokool-Mely and another boy cycling near the crime scene (Picture: The Met)

Victor brought a crossbow online in the days before he was killed, which he sold to his killer at around 3pm on the day of his murder. 

He was robbed and stabbed later that day when seeking to sell knives to Gookol-Mely.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, the senior investigating officer who led the investigation, said: “Victor had his life ahead of him and his family has been torn apart by what happened to him. 

“They are understandably still struggling to come to terms with his murder, and the events that led to his death at such a young age. My thoughts are with them today.”

The court heard that a notebook recovered from Gookol-Mely’s prison cell in December 2023, while he was on remand awaiting trial, contained handwritten verses.

Gokool-Mely posted a video after being sold a crossbow by Victor (Picture: The Met)

These included: “Everyone on at the 8pm news Broadcasting the stabbing I done. 

“The people that knew me changed their views. I tried my best to leave no clues. 

“My door got boomed my mum’s confused. No I don’t feel sorry for the yute.’ 

A later verses includes the lines: “On the phone I’m saying I’m innocent; hop of (sic) the call then laugh in my cell. 

“Aye officer no I didn’t kill him; just stabbed him sent him heaven or hell.”

Young people with information about violence or knife crime can visit fearless.org where they can pass on information anonymously. 

Fearless is part of the Crimestoppers charity, and is also independent of the police. They can also provide help or information to support someone who may be involved in knife crime.

Pictured top: Victor Lee (Picture: The Met)