officer says attack was not gang-related
Police arrest man, 19, over Jimmy’s murder
Published:
Police investigating the murder of 16-year-old “gentle giant” Jimmy Mizen yesterday arrested a man, Scotland Yard said.
Jimmy, a 6ft 4in committed Christian, was stabbed to death in an “unprovoked and vicious” assault at a bakery in Lee, London, on Saturday.
A police spokesman said: “A 19-year-old man was arrested this afternoon in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen.”
Earlier yesterday police refused to confirm reports an arrest warrant had been issued for a young Turkish man.
A spokesman cited “ongoing operational reasons” for not discussing the suspect in the case.
It had been feared that the suspect had fled to Turkish-controlled North Cyprus, which currently has no extradition treaty with the UK.
Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, who is leading the investigation, said officers had “significant” forensic samples and CCTV footage.
Bloodied clothes were reportedly found at the suspect’s family home.
Jimmy died the day after his birthday. He was on the way home from buying his first lottery ticket with his brother Harry, 18. They were in the bakery at 11.50am on Saturday when Jimmy was challenged to a fight.
After the teenager refused, his assailant broke down the door and used an advertising board to smash up the shop.
During the fight that followed, Jimmy was attacked with a shard of glass, leaving him with a fatal stab wound to the neck.
Jimmy’s 26-year-old brother Tommy ran to the scene and cradled him as he lay bleeding to death.
Mr Lyons praised Jimmy’s “great maturity” in not responding to the suspect’s “antagonistic actions” outside the bakery.
And he stressed that the murder was not race or gang-related.
Jimmy is the 13th teenager to be murdered in London so far this year.
