Residents of a north London suburb have been left 'heartbroken and devastated' after a 67-year-old man died following a confrontation with two younger men. Richard Payne was involved in a physical clash on Priory Road, Hornsey, at about 8pm on October 5.
According to witnesses, Mr Payne was with a friend when an argument broke out with two younger men who had stopped and parked their motorcycle to enter a shop on the parade. The men had gone to buy a drink and fish and chips from a takeaway. An exchange of words escalated into a physical confrontation.
Community reaction and police investigation
Locals told Metro that at least one of the younger men lived in the area and had been in the shop previously. Following the incident, Mr Payne was taken to hospital, where he died five days later having suffered a head wound. His friend, aged 60, was also taken to hospital but did not suffer life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
A shopkeeper told Metro: 'It's a lovely community here, we are heartbroken and devastated. We have no idea who the older men were, no one recognised them.'
Police are trawling through CCTV collected from shops along the parade where the incident happened. Forensics have also been on the scene, and detectives have carried out door-to-door inquiries.
Mehmet Baden, 38, said: 'We saw the police here and the guys in the suits, the forensics. We are very surprised and upset this has happened here. It's a very close community and we all use our local shops. For this to happen is very frightening. The police knocked on the door to reassure us that this was an isolated incident. You get young people hanging outside the shop sometimes but yes not usually threatening.'
Charges and increased patrols
A mother of two, who lives near the spot where Mr Payne was treated by paramedics, added: 'There was a massive police response and the paramedics were working on the man on the ground. It's an awful incident and we are all thinking of his family.'
Crisbond Gasper, 22, has been charged with murder, while Jesse Friedlander, 22, has been charged with manslaughter. They were due to appear at Bromley magistrates court on Tuesday. Before Mr Payne's death, they had been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. An 18-year-old arrested in connection with the case has been bailed.
Detective chief inspector Phil Clarke said: 'This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts remain firmly with Richard's family at this difficult time.'
Chief superintendent Anna McCartney said police had dispatched more officers to the streets around the crime scene following the incident. She said: 'We recognise that Richard's death will be deeply concerning for local residents. Over the past week we have increased patrols in the area.'
Mr Payne's family are being supported by specialist officers. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or to remain anonymous via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
