Reward offered to find Joshua Bwalya’s murderer

IS ONE YEAR since 16 year old Joshua Bwalya was murdered – and now police have put up a £20,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing.

It was 1am on 2nd August 2017 that police received a report that there had been a stabbing in Movers Lane, near the junction with Ripple Road, Barking. Police, and the London Ambulance Service, found Joshua, who had been stabbed. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes of the Metropolitan Police Homicide and Major Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, explained why they are offering a reward. “This was a cowardly and brutal attack on a young boy,” he said. “We know Joshua was pursued by a group of youths on pedal cycles, cornered and repeatedly stabbed. We have made a number of arrests in this case, but we still need the public’s help to bring Joshua’s killers to justice. Today, we are renewing the appeal and offering a substantial reward for information that leads to the prosecution of those responsible for Joshua’s murder. Anyone who provides the vital information may be eligible to claim the reward of £20,000 reward and will be fully supported by my team.”

Joshua’s mother Queenie Bwalya also called on the public to help. She said, “In the early hours of the 2nd of August 2017 our 16-year-old son Joshua Bwalya was murdered. The night before, he had attended a school leaver’s party at the Ripple Centre in Barking. We, his family, never knew that when he walked out of our home that day he would not return home. […]

“We can never forget the pain that ripped through our hearts when the news of Joshua’s murder was broken to us by the police several hours afterwards. […] I cannot stop imagining as how frightened Joshua must have felt when he was being chased by the youths responsible. That I, his mother was not there to protect him as he sought refuge and called out for help. […]

“We miss Joshua so much that it hurts all the time. We visit his grave trying to find the answers and gain a sense of inner peace. We always pray that his soul rest in eternal perfect peace. To this day we trust that one day justice will prevail, that someone will come forward to testify in this case. We now approach the first anniversary of Joshua’s murder, no one has been charged or convicted in this case.

“As such we as Joshua’s family are appealing to the public to please contact the police or Crimestoppers to give any information they may have, however limited it may appear. All in the hope that assists the Investigating Team and leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his murder.”

•Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide and Major Crime Command Incident Room on 020-8345 1570. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111, where you can give information anonymously.

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