Clapton Stabbing – Jade Anthony Barnett, a 38-year-old man known for his cheerful and caring nature, was tragically stabbed to death in Clapton, east London. Barnett, who used a wheelchair, was attacked on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a swift response from local authorities.
The Metropolitan Police received reports of a fight in Rushmore Road at 3:38 pm and arrived to find Barnett suffering from a stab wound. Despite efforts by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Barnett’s sister, Simone Barnett, 45, from Hackney, shared with the PA news agency that her brother was a “jolly, cheerful, and caring” individual who always found a way to laugh things off.
Known widely in the Clapton community, Barnett had previously lived in the area with his mother before relocating to Stratford. Despite the move, he remained a frequent visitor to Clapton, where he was well-known and beloved by residents of all ages.
Simone emphasized the deep connections her brother had with the community, stating, “Everybody is family, he’s just that character.” Friends of Barnett revealed that he had lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007, which led to his use of a wheelchair.
Despite this, he maintained a positive and friendly demeanor. One woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, described Barnett as always having a smile on his face and being a pleasure to be around. Another man, who also chose not to be identified, spoke of Barnett’s good spirit, noting that he had no enemies and was not involved in crime or gangs.
Two men, aged 28 and 21, have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in custody at an east London police station. At the scene of the crime, a black and grey electric wheelchair was found behind a police cordon near a forensics tent on Overbury Street, which is overlooked by a housing estate.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who oversees policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, acknowledged that the investigation is still in its early stages. He urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward, either by contacting the police directly or by providing information anonymously through Crimestoppers.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time,” Conway said, adding that the public can expect continued police presence in the area as the investigation progresses. He also expressed gratitude to the local residents of Clapton for their patience during this time.
The police have asked anyone with information to contact them by calling 101 or messaging @MetCC on X, formerly known as Twitter, using the reference CAD 4793/28AUG.