‘Your life mattered’: Tributes paid to Hackney teenager stabbed to death in Highbury Fields

Tributes to Deshaun Tuitt at Highbury Fields. Photograph: Julia Gregory

Poignant tributes have been paid to Hackney teenager Deshaun James Tuitt who was stabbed to death in Highbury Fields on 4 August.

Tuitt’s family and friends laid floral tributes to him over the weekend, close to where the 15-year-old from the Pembury estate in Hackney was fatally injured.

One note read: “Hard to let go, wish we could have done more.”

A card tied to the railings said: “Long Live Huntz. You will be missed but now sleep tight, beautiful. The way you left wasn’t right, you were taken from us at such a young age but we all love and miss you.”

Another poignant message said: “We are all thinking of you. We care.”

It was signed: “A loving family.”

On a different card, the words: “Though we didn’t know you, your life mattered. You were a child who never got the chance to grow up. We should never forget that. And we should never forget our responsibility to all of you children. So very sorry – rest in peace child.”

There were also floral tributes from Hope Church in Islington and St Ann’s Church Tottenham, both of which said they were praying for peace and hope.

Hackney councillor Susan Fajana-Thomas spoke of her shock at hearing about the death earlier this month.

She said: “We are devastated to hear of the tragic death of Deshaun who was stabbed in Islington, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone affected.”

Cllr Fajana-Thomas, who is the cabinet member for community safety, added: “The community will understandably be upset and concerned about what happened, especially around the Pembury estate where he lived.”

She continued: “As someone well known to many of us at the council, we feel this sense of loss and anger ourselves.”

Hackney and Islington council staff are working with the police and urging people who may know anything about what happened to contact officers on 101 quoting CAD 7948/4Aug.

People can also call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Cllr Fajana-Thomas said: “We will continue to work together to ensure that there is a robust response to this tragedy and, together with the police and other partners, take whatever action we can to avoid incidents like this happening.”

Detectives investigating Deshaun’s murder have bailed a 15-year-old who was arrested last week on suspicion of murder.

A 34-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has also been released on bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke said: “We are still very keen to hear from anyone who has information or footage relating to this incident.

“We are working hard to piece together a timeline of events that led to Deshaun’s murder and I urge anyone who saw something, or captured footage, to get in touch without delay.

“Deshaun’s devastated loved ones are asking why this happened – if you have information please get in touch and help us to give them the answers they so desperately need.”

Information or footage can be provided to police at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or via Crimestoppers.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and footage of what happened in Highbury Fields on 4 August.