The sister of a man who was stabbed to death with a machete while riding his mobility scooter has paid tribute to her ‘cheerful and caring’ brother.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after Jade Anthony Barnett, 38, was killed on Rushmore Road in Clapton, Hackney.
Met Police officers were called to the east London street at 3.38pm yesterday following reports of a fight, with suggestions that a machete was used in the gruesome attack.
Mr Barnett was treated by emergency services, including ambulance service and air ambulance staff, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His sister Simone Barnett, from Hackney, described him as a ‘cheerful and caring man’ who ‘never took nothing too seriously’.
Ms Barnett, 45, told how her brother had lived in Clapton with his mother, but his friends said he had moved to the Stratford area and also lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007.
Ms Barnett added: ‘He comes around here (Clapton) all the time, everyone knew my brother – young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother.
‘Everybody is family, he’s just that character.’
On Wednesday evening, a black and grey mobility scooter was seen behind a police cordon – close to a forensics tent at the scene.
The Met Police has confirmed two men, aged 21 and 28, have been arrested, on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at an east London police station.
Video posted on social media – claiming the man was stabbed with a ‘machete’ – shows the road blocked off with police tape and an air ambulance flying over the residential area.
A local butcher described Mr Barnett as a ‘good guy’ who has lived in the area for about nine years.
A woman who was among those gathering at a police cordon after the death and who did not want to be named, said: ‘He was always funny, making jokes, friendly with everybody, always had a smile on his face, and always pleasant.
‘There’s not a bad thing I could say about him. I know him from long time, he’s a nice guy, very nice guy, always see him, he’s always pleasant.
‘You never expect (an incident like this) at all, to be honest, but to him, least of all – he’s just nice, always, always a pleasure to see him, he’s upbeat.’
A man who knew Mr Barnett, but also did not want to be identified, said he was ‘a young guy, good spirit, no enemies, no guns, no crime, no gangs’.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: ‘Our investigation is still in the early stages and my detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what has happened this afternoon.
‘If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forwards and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information.
‘A number of streets have been cordoned off as our investigation continues at pace and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton.
‘Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time. The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation.’
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X quoting CAD 4793/28AUG.