Teenage rapper knifed to death after his own show

Rapper and university student Carl Beatson was knifed after performing his first single

Teenage rapper knifed to death after his own show

Samantha Cairns and Peter Dominiczak
03.08.09

A teenage musician has been stabbed to death after a fight outside the south London club where he had just performed.

Rapper and university student Carl Beatson was knifed after performing his first single with DJ trio Kid 'N' Play at Club Life in Kennington on Friday night.

Police found the 19-year-old's body at 5.30am after they pulled over three cars for ignoring red lights near Waterloo station. Officers believe Carl, from Norbury, also known as Charmz, was being driven to hospital when the car was stopped.

One of the other DJs was injured during the fight and was treated and discharged from hospital.

More than 3,000 people have joined a Facebook tribute group for student Carl, who attended De Montfort University in Leicester.

He is the 11th teenager to be killed in the capital this year. Eight of those have been stabbed to death.

Family friend Donitta Sabblah, 19, who had watched Mr Beatson perform at the club, said: “My friend was driving up past the club and saw someone drop to the ground. When he drove past he realised it was Carl. That's when he turned around and picked him up. He was trying to get him to hospital when police stopped them.”

Ms Sabblah said she spoke to Carl shortly before leaving the club at 5am. She said: “He told me it was getting too late and I should get home. He was always looking after everyone else. I don't know if I could've helped or stopped it in some way, but it's just terrible. I just don't understand.”

Friend Chris Mukoko, 19, said he left the club early on the night of his friend's death. He said: “I felt uncomfortable as there was a bit of hostility around the place, so I left. I was going to tell Carl but he was on stage. I wish I had told him. I didn't think anything would ever happen to a guy like him. He was so popular and wasn't involved in gangs. I'd never even seen him have one argument in the six years we knew each other.”

The rapper's friends have said they will now promote his single and try to raise awareness of knife crime in the capital. They are also planning to create a video clip for his first single. Long-time friend Lindsay Sabblah, 23, said: “The thing I don't get is how such a good person's life gets taken away like that. He went to church every weekend. All he could think about was making his future better and studying hard.”

Police have arrested an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old in connection with the killing and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.