Teenager died in the arms of his sister after being stabbed as he left anti-violence party

Victim: Steven Lewis died after being stabbed by a gang of youths



A teenager was repeatedly stabbed in front of his 13-year-old brother before dying in his sister's arms.



Stephen Lewis, 15, was attacked by a gang of youths as he left a charity event aimed at campaigning against youth violence.



Stephen was cradled by his 16-year-old sister Tanya as he lay dying in the street while his younger brother looked on.



Police said two youths, aged 16 and 17, have been arrested over the killing.



The killing on Saturday night in Plaistow, East London, was the first violent death of a teenager in the capital this year.



Last year 22 youngsters were stabbed to death across London.

It is feared Steven was the victim of a 'postcode war' involving youths from a rival area.



Witnesses said the gang, who were armed and 'looking for trouble', had issued death threats to the teenager over the last four months.



Tributes to Steven, describing him as a 'tru fallen soldier', appeared on his MySpace website page last night.



A mother's grief: Sharon Lewis visits the scene of the fatal stabbing

The party on Saturday had been arranged as a charity fundraiser for the One World Foundation Africa, which campaigns against youth violence.

It was halted after trouble broke out, prompting around 100 youths to spill onto the streets at about 10.30pm.



It is understood Steven was set on by a gang just yards from the party venue, St Cedd's hall next to St Philip's And St James's Church.



Steven's mother Sharon (left) views flowers and tributes supported by friends or family

Natalie, Steven's girlfriend, described him as a 'bubbly' teenager

This area sits in London's E13 postcode area. Friends claimed Steven had been receiving threats from youths in Custom House, which is in E16.



The youngster was taken to nearby Royal London Hospital, but died less than an hour later.

At the scene two women, Brigitte and Georgette, members of Steven's family, said: 'His sister was holding him when he was dying. His little brother saw everything and he's just 13. It's been a real shock to his family.'



Investigation: Forensic officers collect evidence near where Steven was stabbed



A close friend, who did not want to be named, said Steven had been stabbed in October and he had been getting death threats. He said: 'The boys from Custom House feel like they are untouchable.



'They obviously came over to cause trouble. They would have seen Steven, seen that he was by himself, and just attacked him. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.'

Steven's mother Sharon Lewis sobbed as she lay flowers at the spot where he was attacked.

Steven Lewis is believed to have been set upon by up to 30 youths after the party

Her sister Michelle said: 'All Sharon wants to say is everyone loves him and they are going to miss him.'



The youngster's girlfriend Natalie, who did not want to give her last name, said: 'He was bubbly. He was a happy boy. That's why I liked him.'



Steven, who went to Lister School in Plaistow, is understood to have been a talented footballer and was a West Ham fan.

Tributes: Friends bring flowers to lay at the scene of Steven's death



'Tragic': DCI Simon Moring



The Rev Eugeniah Adoyo, vicar at St Philip's And St James's Church, said: 'It is dreadful, the knife crime has got out of hand. The hall was hired by a charity that deals with violence between young black people.'

Police were last night questioning two people over the murder.



DCI Simon Moring appealed for witnesses to come forward. He said: 'This is a tragic stabbing on a young man in the prime of his life. There were up to 100 youths in the street because there had been a large party taking place in the church hall.'

