The boy – as Adam Henry in tributes – died yesterday (December 9) after being attacked in Atlas Mews in Westbourne Estate metres from his former school.
It happened off Westbourne Road, almost exactly where 22-year-old Imani Allaway-Muir was shot dead in 2020.
Police were called to the scene yesterday just after 1pm, where paramedics treated Adam for stab wounds.
He was taken to hospital where he later died.
A resident who asked not to be named said: “It is quite upsetting. Really tragic. It’s just so sad to have it right outside your house.”
The woman added: “I feel sorry for the boy it happened to, not myself.
“This is the second time someone has been murdered here. So I have had all this before. It is very familiar.
“It’s a hive for gangs, that estate.
“It’s not the people who live here – they come from outside because they can congregate here and if the police come they can run because basically there’s no through road.”
She was unable to return to her home for two hours as the emergency services attended to the incident in the early afternoon.
She added: “I love it here [the area]. It’s a really friendly neighbourhood – it’s just the people who come into it.”
Resident Dior Williams, 21, said: “I feel like there’s a lot of gangs around here, and it’s just gotten a lot worse over the years.
“I did use to feel really safe here, but recently not so much.
“There’s always something happening. There was someone that got murdered here a few years ago at the same spot, so it’s really sad.”
Young friends congregated at the scene to pay their respects and lay flowers at the entrance to Atlas Mews, where a police forensic tent remained.
The crime scene was down the road from St Mary Magdalene School, where Adam studied in year seven.
The school said it “feels the loss of his life deeply as a local community and [its] thoughts and prayers are very much with his parents and siblings”.
It said in a statement: “A 15 year old boy was stabbed at around lunchtime yesterday near to Westbourne Road, very close to our school.
“Despite the efforts of the emergency services in attendance, he did not make it.
“This young person started Year 7 at St Mary Magdalene Academy in 2021 before he left to go to the Bridge Satellite School in Year 8, where we understand he was currently a pupil.
“We feel the loss of his life deeply as a local community and our thoughts and prayers are very much with his parents and siblings.”
Cllr Una O’Halloran, Leader of Islington Council, said: “We’re deeply shocked and saddened that a 15-year-old boy has died following a stabbing on Westbourne Road this afternoon.
“At this extremely challenging time, our thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the victim.
“The Metropolitan Police have launched a murder investigation, and we’ll be doing all we can to support them.
“We know that this deeply concerning incident will have unsettled the local community, and we’ll be working to reassure them in the coming days.”
Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in the local area said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at the incredibly sad and difficult time.
“We understand this is incredibly concerning for the community, particularly considering the young age of the victim.
“Officers are in the area carrying out urgent enquiries and cordons remain in place.
“I would urge anyone who saw the incident or has any information, to please get in touch with us, or do so anonymously through Crimestoppers.”
Anyone who has information that may help police with their investigation is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 3568/09DEC.
