Brixton stabbing: Father knifed to death after trying to stop robbery of friend

Lee Casey was stabbed to death in Brixton Hill
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A father was stabbed to death trying to stop his friend being robbed, witnesses said today.

Lee Casey, 39, was knifed when a fight broke out in an alleyway leading to Rush Common in Brixton Hill at lunchtime yesterday.

Mr Casey was taken to a south London hospital but died shortly afterwards. Friends said Mr Casey had intervened during an attempted robbery of a friend and tried to be a “Good Samaritan”.

He was well known in the area and was seen yesterday at local shops. One friend said: “Everyone knew Lee because he grew up here and it’s a tight community. His mate was being robbed and he stepped in to stop the fight. He was a Good Samaritan.

“When he was younger he was a talented footballer who nearly went professional but he broke his leg and had to quit. He’s from a large family and they have been at the scene. They are devastated.”

He added: “I saw him yesterday morning and he was jolly. He was with a mate of his and just came out of a newsagent. I can’t believe that will be the last time I’ll see him. He was a kind person, a nice guy who was affectionate.”

The victim’s mother reportedly arrived at the scene minutes after he had been taken to hospital.

Bystander Mahin De Silva, 59, said: “I had been to an interfaith meeting and was coming back when I saw the ambulance and lots of police. One person told me there had been a fight and the man had tried to break it up and he had been stabbed.”

Friends gathered at the scene last night to light candles.

One said: “I can’t believe he’s gone, he was loved by a lot of people. His family are heartbroken.”

A relative posted a photo of the victim online, alongside the caption: “I love you, forever in my heart.”

Scotland Yard said police were called at 12.07pm. Two men arrested on suspicion of attempted murder were taken to a south London police station. They were still being questioned today. A police spokesman said: “At this early stage officers retain an open mind as to motive.”

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