A father was stabbed to death on a busy high street protecting a friend from knife-wielding attackers, his devastated family said today.
Jonathan McPhillips, 28, staggered 200 yards along Islington’s Upper Street before collapsing outside cocktail bar Be At One just after midnight on Saturday.
Paramedics performed first aid in the street before transferring him to hospital, where he died three days later with his family at his bedside.
Announcing her son’s death on Facebook, the avid Arsenal fan’s mother Michelle posted a photograph of them riding a moped, with the caption: “Take me to heaven with you. Ride high and look down from the sky.”
She added: “My angel has flown, rest in peace baby boy.”
Witnesses said Mr McPhillips, known as JJ, was knifed in an unprovoked attack as he shielded a teenage friend from a gang who ambushed them on a petrol station forecourt.
Police later found the 17-year-old lying in a pool of blood outside the town hall. He has since been discharged from hospital.
Mr McPhillips’ cousin Lainie Carr told the Standard: “Our family is in grief. He was a devoted dad, son, nephew and cousin who died in the most horrible way. I just hope we can find the person who did this.”
Close friend Shane Yerrell stayed with Mr McPhillips in hospital and has now launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £1,000 for his two young daughters.
He said: “He died protecting someone who was being attacked by a gang which just sums up the person he was. He’s definitely a hero in my eyes.
“He was the type of person that would lift anyone from a bad mood, one of the most honest and genuine people you will ever meet and has two beautiful little girls who adored him.”
Mr McPhillips is the tenth victim to die as a result of knife crime on the capital’s streets this year.
DCI Dave Whellams, leading the murder inquiry, today urged witnesses to the attack on the busy street to come forward.
He said: “This was an area of Upper Street which is always busy on a Friday night going into the weekend.
“I’m sure there would have been many people present who would have witnessed the altercation between two groups of youths.
“This seems to be a totally unprovoked attack which has resulted in the death of a young man and left a teenager injured.
“I would urge those people to contact our incident room and tell us what they have seen.”
There have been no arrests.
Witnesses are asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3775, or Crimestoppers anonymously on on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org
To donate to the fundraising campaing for his children, visit www.gofundme.com/3g7hjp4
