A grieving mother whose son was killed in a brutal knife attack outside a crowded party has pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.
Claudyo Jauad Lafayette, 17, was stabbed in Granville Road on July 14, 2023 after a fight spilled out of a party attended by more than 100 people at The Granville events venue in Carlton Vale, South Kilburn.
Police were called at about 11.20pm and Claudyo was found injured but was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards.
As the anniversary of his death approaches, the family is begging for justice.
His mother Yzakia Jauad stood with the Metropolitan Police today at the scene of the crime, and near a memorial plaque for Claudyo.
In a new appeal for information, Crimestoppers is offering a £20,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to a successful conviction.
Claudyo's mother said: "I know that whatever I do or say today will not bring our son back but I stand here before you all today and plead for your help to get justice for our son.
“Claudyo really had a sense of justice in what he did for other people. As young a man as he was, he would always go out of his way to help others, his friends and especially younger children. They would wait for him at the school gate. For whatever reason he was their safeguard and that says a lot about Claudyo’s character.
“That’s why it’s my obligation as his mother to make sure justice is done for our son. Like Claudyo always helped others, we need your help to make sure Claudyo’s killer and all those involved are brought to justice.”
She added: “Everyone involved must and needs to be hold accountable for what they have done, and my son Claudyo needs to rest in peace.”
According to Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who is leading the investigation, Claudyo was stabbed in the stomach after a fight started during a party inside the centre.
The fight then reached the streets of Granville Road, and a second boy, 17, and a woman, in her early 20s, were also injured.
He explained: “Five persons have been arrested and are currently on police bail and we continue to investigate. Even though significant progress has been made in the past 12 months, I’m still asking people to come forward.
“I know that there were over 100 people at that party; some of them have spoken to us but I’m pretty sure there are people out there that know and still haven’t come forward with the information that is vital to our investigation.”
Asked whether the suspects were known to Claudyo, DCI Jolley said he can not share that information at this stage.
He added: “Claudyo was a 17-year-old boy who had a whole life ahead of him and the family deserve justice for him.
“The majority of people have come forward, but there’s always a reluctance or sometimes a trust issue. I’d say to those who do have that information, we can do things in relation to identity and hopefully that information they provide will be the key piece of evidence that will allow us to secure the convictions for the family of Claudyo.”
The teenager attended Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Camden Town and Regent High School in Somers Town, as well as Camden Community Learning.
He had started a business course at Westminster Kingsway College before his life was taken.
A funeral took place at the Islington and St Pancras Cemetery in East Finchley.
Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or call the Metropolitan Police on 101.
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