Marcel Addai killing: Police name 17-year-old boy brutally stabbed to death on Hoxton estate
The teenager was chased by a gang of up to 15 people through the St John’s Estates in Hoxton, London on Friday night before being attacked
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A teenage boy brutally stabbed to death has been named by police as they continue the hunt for his killers.
The victim has been identified as 17-year-old Marcel Addai.
His family said they were "totally devastated" and unable to understand the "wicked attack".
The teenager was chased by a gang of up to 15 people through the St John’s Estates in Hoxton, London on Friday night before being attacked.
Screams could be heard echoing through the estate as he was stabbed.
Police and the ambulance service were called out to reports of an assault but despite efforts to save the boy he died at the scene.
In a statement released by the police, his distraught family said: "We have been left totally devastated by the death of Marcel.
“We cannot comprehend how anyone could carry out such a wicked attack.
"We want those people who know something about this attack to come forward and provide information to the police.
"These people must come forward to prevent another family going through the pain we are all now suffering."
No arrests have been made so far in the investigations and detectives are urging any witnesses who they believe may hold “significant information” to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: "My officers have been at the scene since the attack took place and have come across a community left shocked by what has taken place.
"Whilst we have had a good initial response I believe there are still a number of people who were at the scene who have not come forward, people who hold significant information.
"I want to stress that any information provided will be dealt with sensitively and in the strictest confidence."
A 40-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said she saw the victim being chased before falling to the ground as she watched from her nearby flat.
"There was a big chase," she said. "They ran through the estate, some on bikes, some on foot. By the end of it when he died there were about 15 people around him.
"I just heard the screams, the cries - a primal scream of death."
She added: "I could really hear it. I don't know if it was one of his friends who realised that he was dead but it was the most echoing, crying noise."
Large sections of the estate were cordoned off as police trawled the site for evidence.
Candles were lit in tribute to Marcel, and bouquets were laid against a wall.
A post-mortem examination will take place on Monday.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8358 0300, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.