A 21-year-old man who was stabbed to death in a park has been identified by police, as two teenagers have been charged with murder. Essex Police named the victim as Radwan Shakur, from Wembley, north-west London. He was discovered with stab wounds at Central Park in Chelmsford on Friday evening.
Officers were dispatched around 7pm on June 12 following reports of a serious assault. Despite the efforts of first responders, Mr. Shakur sadly died at the scene. The force announced on Monday that two individuals have been charged with murder, along with possession with intent to supply cannabis, and possession of a knife in a public place.
Romeo Mfinda, 18, of Widford Chase, Chelmsford, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, also from Chelmsford, were charged. They appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Mfinda only spoke to confirm his personal details, did not enter a plea, and no bail application was made. He was remanded to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday. The 17-year-old also confirmed his name, date of birth, and address in a separate appearance and is due at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.
In a statement released through police, Mr. Shakur’s family described him as “a kind soul loved by his family and everyone that knew him.” They added, “He had a smile that would brighten up a room. He had such hopes and dreams for his future. He was looking forward to going to university and the bright future ahead. Our hearts are truly broken. We will miss him.”
Essex Police reported that three teenagers aged 18, 17, and 14 were initially arrested on Friday evening on suspicion of murder. The 18-year-old has since been released on bail, while the 14-year-old has been released under investigation as inquiries continue. Further investigations over the weekend led to the arrest of another 18-year-old man at an address in Widford Chase on Sunday afternoon.
Detective Inspector Lydia George, leading the investigation, stated: “This was a shocking incident in a busy public park at a time when many people would have been enjoying the area, and we know it has caused significant concern within the Chelmsford community. Our thoughts remain with Radwan’s family, who we continue to support at this incredibly difficult time. I would ask that the public and media please respect their ongoing request for privacy as they continue to grieve. Since Friday evening, detectives and specialist officers have been working around the clock to establish what happened. We have made significant progress through CCTV inquiries, speaking to witnesses and carrying out forensic work, which has led to these charges. However, our investigation remains ongoing and we continue to urge anyone with information who has not yet come forward to contact us. A dedicated public portal remains open, and any piece of information, no matter how small, could be important.”
