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First picture of fatal stabbing victim, 18, named as Afghan refugee student

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A teenager stabbed to death in front of schoolchildren playing rugby in London was an Afghan refugee named Harzat Wali.
Harzat left his family in Afghanistan and came to London to study (Picture: BPM Media/Sophie Wingate/PA)

A teenager stabbed to death in front of schoolchildren playing rugby in London was an Afghan refugee named Harzat Wali.

The 18-year-old Richmond College student was fatally injured on nearby Craneford Way in Twickenham yesterday at about 4.45pm.

He died in hospital shortly afterwards, becoming the capital’s 25th murdered teen this year.

Harzat, who lived in Notting Hill, came to Britain two years ago on his own in search of a better life, reports said.

The college let students choose whether to go in for lessons or stay at home today in the wake of the attack.

Support and counselling is being offered to pupils and staff, and security and surveillance has been boosted at entrances.

The attack happened as pupils aged 12-13 from nearby Richmond upon Thames School were playing rugby. A teacher ran over and attempted to save his life.

The suspect is still at large and police called on eyewitnesses to speak to them rather than share videos of the scene on social media.

A teenager stabbed to death in Twickenham has been named as an Afghan refugee who was
Harzat came to the UK to study on his own aged 16, two years ago (Picture: BPM Media)
A teenager stabbed to death in front of schoolchildren playing rugby in London was an Afghan refugee named Harzat Wali.
The young man was ‘very caring and loved everyone’ (Picture: Metropolitan Police)

Detective chief inspector Vicky Tunstall said: ‘The incident occurred in a playing field area and was witnessed by a number of people.

‘Some of those people are believed to have filmed events as they unfolded; I ask that any videos are not shared via social media to avoid causing the young man’s family any more distress at this already incredibly difficult time for them.

Police were called at 4.45pm on Tuesday, 12 October to reports of a stabbing in Craneford Way, Twickenham. Officers and London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended. At the scene a male, believed to be in his late teens, had sustained knife wounds. He was taken by LAS to an outer London hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5.54pm Enquiries are underway to notify his next of kin. A crime scene and cordons remain in place and at this early stage there have been no arrests. Anyone who witnessed this incident or has footage is asked to call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 5697/12OCT. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting??www.crimestoppers-uk.org
A crime scene and cordons remain in place and there have been no arrests (Picture: UkNewsinPictures)
Police tape blocks the entrance to a playing field in Craneford Way, Twickenham, south-west London, where an 18-year-old was stabbed on Tuesday afternoon. The teenager was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead just over an hour later. Picture date: Wednesday October 13, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Twickenham . Photo credit should read: Sophie Wingate/PA Wire
Police tape blocks the entrance to playing fields in Twickenham where Harzat was killed (Picture: PA)

‘Instead, please go to the police immediately. A number of people have spoken to us, but we need to hear from anyone who has information that could help.’

A family member who lives in Stanmore, Harrow, told the Evening Standard: ‘Hazrat was a very good boy.

‘He came here to study, he was living all on his own in London. His immediate family are all back in Afghanistan. I saw him in hospital. He had a fight is all that I’ve heard.’

Police were called at 4.45pm on Tuesday, 12 October to reports of a stabbing in Craneford Way, Twickenham. Officers and London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended. At the scene a male, believed to be in his late teens, had sustained knife wounds. He was taken by LAS to an outer London hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5.54pm Enquiries are underway to notify his next of kin. A crime scene and cordons remain in place and at this early stage there have been no arrests. Anyone who witnessed this incident or has footage is asked to call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 5697/12OCT. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting??www.crimestoppers-uk.org\\
The attack happened near a football pitch on Craneford Way (Picture: UkNewsinPictures)

His friend Sahil Kochay said: ‘He was a very good person. Very caring and loved everyone.

‘He didn’t hold any hate towards anybody. He used to stand up for everyone. I wish I knew why someone would hurt him. He wasn’t the kind of guy to fight.’

The Met said Harzat’s family are being supported by specially trained officers.

A post-mortem examination takes place on Friday at Kingston mortuary.

MORE : Teenager ‘stabbed to death during football game after row on the pitch’

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