Rival gangs link probed over teenager's fatal stabbing

Detectives were investigating today if a teenager was stabbed to death as part of a postcode war between rival gangs.

Olukorede Fajinmi, 17, known as Korede, died from a single knife wound to the heart outside the Showcase Cinema in Beckton, east London.

Witnesses told police a crowd of young people fought outside the Jenkins Lane complex at about 8.30pm last Friday.

Investigators want to know if the fight is linked to an earlier clash at the nearby Powerleague football ground.

More than 350 people have joined a Facebook site set up to pay tribute to the young murder victim calling him a "soldier" and a "rudeboy".

A graphic titled "RIP Shadow" shows Korede posing for photographs in hooded sportswear and camouflage fashion gear.

One contributor suggested Korede was caught up in a fight between gangs from Dagenham and Barking.

Others left comments, self-written rap lyrics and a link to an American gangster rap video.

Tanya Lewis attacked those who left tributes for failing to acknowledge someone has died for no reason.

She said: "I am a mum and I feel sick. This childish post code war must stop! So what if you live in Barking or Dagenham!

"All of you boys that left your houses jumped on buses to go to Showcase and fight Barking boys are children you killed that woman's son and I hope you will live with yourselves."

According to his Facebook page Korede, of Ilford, who uses the online name Boss Shadz Santos, was a student at Leyton Sixth Form College.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that a gang fight was "one line of inquiry".

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Alan Moore, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC), is responsible for the investigation.

Two teenage boys aged 16 and 15 arrested near the scene have been released on bail. A third teenager, aged 16, remained in custody today.

Anyone with information that could assist police should call the incident room on 0208 345 4142 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.