Tribute paid to Suffolk Road Dartford stabbing victim

Denzel Njemo was found injured in an alleyway near Suffolk Road just after 9pm on April 14.

He died a short time later.

Denzel’s 14-year-old sister, Deidre, described him as a “funny, and vibrant person” who would put other people before himself.

Photo of Denzel Njemo (Image: Contributor)

She said: “Denzel would ensure other people’s safety before his own.

“He never took anything to heart, he’d make the most out of everything. He was just a very positive person.

“He wouldn’t want people to worry about him, he always put on a positive face. That was just very brave of him.”

Dedree said he was very academically gifted, working very hard at school with dreams of becoming an engineer.

She continued: “Denzel was just great and talented and everything he did.

“He was a Chelsea supporter and loved to play sports such as football, swimming, and boxing.

“He also loved to rap. He was so talented at sports and school.”

Dedree was out with her friends when she got a phone call from her older sister for her to come home.

Upon her arrival, she heard crying and screaming from her house and knew something had happened to Denzel.

Dedree explained: “I was getting calls from Denzel’s girlfriend, asking where he was because she had not heard from him.

“I then got a phone call from my older sister to come home, and I thought I was going to be in trouble for coming home late.

“But when I got home, I could hear crying and screaming outside the house.

“I didn’t think of the worst, maybe my brother was in the hospital, something like that.

“I went in the house and saw my brother’s best friend and his best friend’s older sister and they were just crying.

“So I went upstairs and saw my parents crying on the floor and they were shouting, “Denzel is dead, Denzel is dead.”

Dedree, Denzel’s best friend and girlfriend have since set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his funeral.

The page has been met with a flood of support, having raised over £2,515 at the time of writing. 

Dedree said: “I just didn’t believe it, it was a shock really, it was like a dream, it didn’t feel real.

“It still doesn’t feel real at the moment.

“I guess it’s all part of the grieving process.”

At around 12.30am on April 15, two men were arrested in Gillingham on suspicion of murder and taken into custody.

A charge of murder was authorised against Chris Enaruba, of Beaconsfield Road in Greenwich.

The 19-year-old was remanded to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 18.

Abdul Yusuff, of Rotherhithe New Road in Southwark, was charged with assisting a suspect with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution.

The 19-year-old was remanded to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on May 12.

He will next appear at a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on June 9.

Balloons, candles, bouquets of flowers, and handwritten notes have since been left at the scene of the incident.

Cardboard signs reading "RIP young man", lights, and bottles are among the tributes at the scene.

One note reads: "Rest in the most beautiful paradise, we'll see you soon bro."

Another said: "My little bro, I can't believe it man, you're gonna be remembered by so many people, your jokes, presence, everything's gonna be missed."

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: “Officers have charged a man with assisting a suspect following the death of a man in Dartford.

“Kent Police was called at 9.05pm on Friday 14 April 2023, to a report that a man had sustained injuries consistent with stab wounds in an alleyway off Suffolk Road.

“Officers attended the scene along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and an 18-year-old man was pronounced deceased.

“An investigation was commenced by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and at around 12.30am on Saturday 15 April, two men were arrested in Gillingham on suspicion of murder and taken into custody.

“On the evening of Monday 17 April the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge of murder against Chris Enaruba, 19, of Beaconsfield Road, Greater London.

“Mr Enaruba appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 April where he was remanded to a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 25 May.

“On Thursday 11 May, Abdul Yusuff, of Rotherhithe New Road, Southwark was charged with assisting a suspect with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution.

“Mr Yusuff, aged 19, appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Friday 12 May where he was remanded to a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 9 June.

“Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to officers should call Kent Police on 01474 366149, quoting reference 46/68778/23.”