A TEENAGE boy has been stabbed to death just minutes from where Ben Kinsella
was murdered seven years ago.
Named locally as 17-year-old Vaso Kakko, the boy was found by members of the
public but pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called
in North London.
His brother, Bruno Kakko, told the Evening Standard: “He was just a
lovely, nice guy who was always happy and smiley and loved playing around a
lot. He was always very generous to his friends and family.
“He loved going out a lot, he was not a stay-at-home type. We just can’t
get our heads round it at the moment. We have no idea who would target him.”
Vaso was found less than a five-minute walk away from the spot where
16-year-old Ben Kinsella, half-brother of Eastenders actress Brooke
Kinsella, was killed after an argument in a bar nearby.
Ben was stabbed 11 times in the chest and back in a brutal attack.
The Spurs and Barcelona fan was the eighteenth teenager to be murdered in the
capital this year and tributes today poured in on social media for the
youngster.
Rico Suave tweeted: “RIP Vaso Kakko, the good die young.” While
another user, @yasmineb_ said: “My heart goes out to his family &
friends, couldn’t begin to imagine what they’re going through… r.i.p Vaso x”
A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “A murder investigation has been launched
following the death of a male in Holloway.
“Police were called at approximately 20:50 on Monday, 23 November to reports
of a male stabbed in Yoke Close, off North Road, N7.
“London Ambulance Service and land HEMS also attended and the male – aged 17 –
was pronounced dead at the scene at 21:22.
“Officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command investigate and retain an
open mind to the motive at this time.”
Yohana Franklin, manager for the Ben Kinsella trust – set up by Ben’s family
to help tackle knife crime in his memory, said: “Our thoughts are with
the family of the victim as we know just what they are going through.
“We need to take more early prevention measures by educating people at a
young age. We need better police stop and search powers that are used in the
right way, and we need stricter sentences for people caught carrying knives.
“The responsibility needs to start at home and parents and families need
to be more open about the seriousness of knife crime. Essentially, we need a
more full and rounded approach, because whatever is already being done
clearly isn’t enough.”