Steven Lewis

A teenager was repeatedly stabbed in front of his 13-year-old brother before dying in his sister's
arms.

Stephen Lewis, 15, was attacked by a gang of youths as he left a charity event aimed at campaigning
against youth violence.

Stephen was cradled by his 16-year-old sister Tanya as he lay dying in the street while his younger
brother looked on.

Police said two youths, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested over the killing.

The killing on Saturday night in Plaistow, East London, was the first violent death of a teenager in
the capital this year.

Last year 22 youngsters were stabbed to death across London.
It is feared Steven was the victim of a 'postcode war' involving youths from a rival area.

Witnesses said the gang, who were armed and 'looking for trouble', had issued death threats to the
teenager over the last four months.

Tributes to Steven, describing him as a 'tru fallen soldier', appeared on his MySpace website page
last night.

The party on Saturday had been arranged as a charity fundraiser for the One World Foundation
Africa, which campaigns against youth violence.
It was halted after trouble broke out, prompting around 100 youths to spill onto the streets at
about 10.30pm.

It is understood Steven was set on by a gang just yards from the party venue, St Cedd's hall next to
St Philip's And St James's Church.



This area sits in London's E13 postcode area. Friends claimed Steven had been receiving threats
from youths in Custom House, which is in E16.

The youngster was taken to nearby Royal London Hospital, but died less than an hour later.
At the scene two women, Brigitte and Georgette, members of Steven's family, said: 'His sister was
holding him when he was dying. His little brother saw everything and he's just 13. It's been a real
shock to his family.'


A close friend, who did not want to be named, said Steven had been stabbed in October and he had
been getting death threats. He said: 'The boys from Custom House feel like they are untouchable.

'They obviously came over to cause trouble. They would have seen Steven, seen that he was by
himself, and just attacked him. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.'
Steven's mother Sharon Lewis sobbed as she lay flowers at the spot where he was attacked.
Steven Lewis is believed to have been set upon by up to 30 youths after the party
Her sister Michelle said: 'All Sharon wants to say is everyone loves him and they are going to miss
him.'

Steven, who went to Lister School in Plaistow, is understood to have been a talented footballer and
was a West Ham fan.

The Rev Eugeniah Adoyo, vicar at St Philip's And St James's Church, said: 'It is dreadful, the knife
crime has got out of hand. The hall was hired by a charity that deals with violence between young
black people.'
Police were last night questioning two people over the murder.

DCI Simon Moring appealed for witnesses to come forward. He said: 'This is a tragic stabbing on a
young man in the prime of his life. There were up to 100 youths in the street because there had been
a large party taking place in the church hall.'


Rest In Peace Steven.
You Are going to be Missed By so many People.
So Much Love.
xxxxxxxxxxx