Hackney: Boy, 15, charged with murder of Pharrell Garcia

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Pharrell Garcia, 15, who was fatally stabbed in east London.

Pharrell was found with stab wounds in Stellman Close in Stoke Newington at 16:05 BST on Tuesday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said.

The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody.

He is due to appear at Stratford Youth Court on Friday.

Det Ch Sup James Conway said: “Tragically, 15-year-old Pharrell lost his life after he was stabbed in Stoke Newington.

“We have informed his family, who are understandably heartbroken, and specially trained officers are supporting them at this unimaginably difficult time.”

He said detectives had been working “around the clock to start to piece together what happened”.

“No-one should have to lose a child and events this week in London are a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of knife crime and serious violence,” Det Ch Sup Conway said.

“It tears families apart and robs our children of their futures.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to tackling these crimes and protecting young people across London.”

The number of teenagers losing their lives to violence in the capital rose last year, from 14 in 2022, to 21 in 2023, figures show.

However, it is a fall since the record number of deaths seen in 2021, when 30 teenagers were killed in London.