A 16-year-old teenager has been charged with the murder of Brayan David Saldarriaga in Hackney after one of the stabbing victim’s pals called him a ‘friend you could trust’
A 15-year-old boy stabbed to death in east London has been described as a ‘friend you could trust” as he was named and pictured before another teenager was charged with his murder.
Police were called at about 17.15pm on Monday to reports of a “large gathering, disorder and sightings of individuals in possession of machetes in Towpath Walk” in Hackney Wick.
Officers and paramedics found Brayan David Saldarriaga, from Haringey, north London, with stab wounds in nearby Poplar Close, where he was pronounced dead.
They arrested a 16-year-old boy on Thursday who has now been charged and remains in police custody.
Speaking with London Now, a close friend of the teen remembered him as “a friend you could trust”.
Kaylen, 15, recalled the first time the pair met, and how they came to be friends. He said: “I first met him when he came to my school at the start of Year 8. He was new and I started talking to him. He was just funny, he made jokes. He was nice to have around.
Brayan is understood to have had Colombian roots, speaking little English when he moved to London. Kaylen said: “Brayan was my best friend, one of those friends you could trust. He was like my brother. He was outgoing, talking to people. I always used to go out with him. He always made sure I was safe.”
Det Ch Insp Lucie Card, from the Metropolitan Police, said: “Our thoughts remain with Brayan’s loved ones following this tragic incident. We understand the impact this incident has had on the local community.”
She added: “If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to speak with one of our officers on patrol in the area this week.
“We know there were a significant number of people who recorded the large gathering and the incident on their mobile phone.
“I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened or who has footage of the incident to come forward to police – your information could be vital.”
