Two charged over UK teen's murder
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Two teenagers have been charged with murdering 14-year-old Shaquille Smith who was stabbed to death in east London last weekend, police said.
Shaquille Smith died from a stab wound to his abdomen after becoming involved in a fight with a group of youths on Saturday night (local time) in Hackney.
He was the 25th teenager to die violently in London this year.
His 16-year-old sister also suffered wounds to her face and neck in the incident but her injuries were not serious.
Detectives said Godiowe Dufeal, 19, and a 16-year-old male have been charged with murdering Shaquille.
They are due to appear at Thames Magistrates Court later on Friday (local time).
Officers said another two men, aged 18 and 21, had also been arrested in connection with the killing and were being questioned at an east London police station.
In a statement earlier this week, Shaquille's family said he was an "unfussy", hardworking boy with a "unique character and common touch".
"He was a tough individual with a lot of drive, with an easy going and pleasurable-loving nature," they said.
"He had a large measure of star quality, which attracted people of all ages and nations to him."
The wave of shootings and stabbings in London in recent months has prompted a police crackdown on young people carrying weapons.
Metropolitan Police chief Sir Ian Blair said last month the violence was "unacceptable".
Official figures released in July showed there were more than 22,000 serious offences involving knives in England and Wales in the year to end-March 2008, though crime fell significantly overall.
- Reuters
