Police are still urgently appealing for witnesses to come forward after an “unprovoked” fatal stabbing in Downham following a “perceived slight” onboard a bus.

A murder investigation was launched after Gabriel Petrov Stoyanov was stabbed in Bromley Road shortly before midnight on Friday, November 4.

Officers attended along with colleagues from the London Ambulance Service and found 21-year-old Gabriel suffering stab injuries.

He was taken to hospital for treatment but died during the afternoon of Saturday, November 5.

Gabriel and a friend had boarded a 181 bus to Grove Park at a bus stop on Southend Road at 11.05pm but didn’t sit together.

One minute later the three suspects boarded the bus at Southend Lane.

During a journey lasting less than 10 minutes, it is thought Gabriel tried to engage with the youths.

He got off the bus with his friend two stops before the defendants at Downham Lane at around 11.11pm.

The suspects then allegedly got off the bus and walked back, loitering outside a takeaway where Gabriel was buying food.

There was a confrontation in Bromley Road in which the 14-year-old threw a bottle and the 17-year-old hit the victim with a bike chain, it is alleged.

The 16-year-old then allegedly stabbed the victim in the chest.

Two teens, aged 14 and 17, were charged with murder on Friday, November 11.

On Saturday, November 12, a 16-year-old male attended a south London police station.

He arrested and subsequently charged with the murder of Gabriel.

On Tuesday, the two teenagers, aged 14 and 17, appeared at the Old Bailey charged with his murder, with a third defendant, aged 16, due in court on Wednesday.

The prosecution alleged that each defendant had armed themselves in a “planned and premeditated” act.

Prosecutor Fiona Robertson said: “This was a wholly unprovoked attack on an unknown male over a perceived slight.”

During the court hearing, the two youths aged 14 and 17 spoke to confirm their identities.

Judge Anthony Leonard KC set a plea hearing for February 3 with a provisional trial from May 2.

He remanded the defendants into the care of the local authority.

The youths cannot be identified because of their young ages.

Police are asking anyone who saw the attack and the events leading up to it to come forward to assist with the investigation.

Anyone with further information or any witnesses who are yet to speak with police are asked to call 101, quoting reference CAD 8645/04Nov.

Detective Chief Inspector, who is leading the investigation, Kelly Allen said: "Although we have charged three teenagers we still need to hear from people who witnessed the stabbing and the events leading up to it.

"Gabriel and a friend boarded a Route 181 bus to Grove Park at bus stop LH on Southend Road at 23:05hrs on Friday, 4 November.

“They weren’t sat together.

2At 23:06hrs the three suspects boarded at stop LK on Southend Lane.

"Gabriel and his friend left the bus together at 23:11hrs at stop DM in Downham Lane, junction with Rangefield Road.

“The suspect group got off two stops later at stop DP, junction with St Barnabas Hall, at 23:13hrs.

“The two groups came together again in Bromley Road, when Gabriel sustained his injuries shortly before midnight.

“I want to hear from anyone who saw Gabriel, his friend, and the suspect group, on the bus.

“Any information you have, no matter how insignificant it might seem, could help our investigation.”

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Detectives investigating the murder of Gabriel Petrov Stoyanov in Downham are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

“A murder investigation was launched after Gabriel was stabbed in Bromley Road shortly before midnight on Friday, 4 November.

“Officers attended along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service.

“They found the 21-year-old suffering stab injuries.

“He was taken to hospital, but died on the afternoon of Saturday, 5 November.

“On Saturday, 12 November, a 16-year-old male [D] attended a south London police station. He was arrested and subsequently charged with the murder of Gabriel Petrov Stoyanov.

“He appeared in custody at Bromley Youth Court on Monday, 14 November and was remanded to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, 16 November.

“Two males, aged 14 [A] and 17 [B], were charged with murder on Friday, 11 November. They appeared at Bexley Youth Court on the same day.

“They were remanded into the care of the local authority and appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 15 November.

2A 46-year-old man [C] who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released under investigation.

“Anyone with information or any witnesses who are yet to speak with police are asked to call 101, quoting reference CAD 8645/04Nov.

“To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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