Key Points
- A 26-year-old man named Aurelio Mejia was stabbed to death outside LAXA Lounge on Ruby Street in Peckham, south London, at around 3:50am on Easter Monday, April 6, 2026.
- The incident involved a group fight or disturbance near the nightclub.
- Two other men in their 20s suffered stab wounds and were hospitalised with life-threatening injuries; they remain in critical condition.
- Four men—one aged 18 and three aged 24—were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.
- Aurelio Mejia’s next-of-kin are receiving support from specialist family liaison officers.
- Detective Chief Inspector Neil John is leading the Metropolitan Police investigation, which continues at pace with an increased police presence in the area.
- Police are appealing for witnesses, dashcam, or mobile phone footage to assist the enquiry.
Peckham (South London News) April 7, 2026 –A 26-year-old man, named by police as Aurelio Mejia, was stabbed to death outside LAXA Lounge on Ruby Street in Peckham during the early hours of Easter Monday. The Metropolitan Police stated that officers were called at 3.54am to reports of a disturbance involving a group of people outside the nightclub. Despite efforts by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service, Mejia died at the scene from his stab wounds.
Two other men in their 20s were also found with stab injuries at the location and rushed to hospital, where they remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, according to a Metropolitan Police statement issued on Monday afternoon. The force confirmed that four suspects—one aged 18 and three aged 24—were arrested later that day on suspicion of murder and are being held in custody pending further enquiries.
What Happened Outside LAXA Lounge?
The fatal stabbing occurred amid what police described as a group fight near the busy Peckham nightclub. As reported by MyLondon, Aurelio Mejia was knifed during the altercation at approximately 3.50am on April 6. ITV News London detailed that officers arrived to find Mejia suffering from stab wounds, with emergency services unable to save him.
Sky News confirmed the location as outside the club in Peckham, southeast London, noting that the two injured men in their 20s were taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.
The Metropolitan Police’s public appeal on the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) specifies the incident as a violent disorder outside LAXA Lounge on Ruby Street, SE15, resulting in one man’s murder.
Who Is the Victim and How Are His Family Being Supported?
Police have formally identified the deceased as 26-year-old Aurelio Mejia. His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers throughout the ongoing investigation, the Metropolitan Police said in their statement. No further details about Mejia’s background have been released by authorities at this stage.
What Do Police Say About the Arrests and Investigation?
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of murder: one aged 18 and three aged 24. They remain in custody as enquiries continue, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, leading the Met’s investigation, said:
“This is a deeply tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the victim’s family during this difficult time. We have already arrested four men and our investigation continues at pace.”
As reported by The Independent, DCI John added:
“We are aware of the concern that this will cause the local community and those in the area will notice an increased police presence throughout the day. This assault occurred outside a busy nightclub, and we’d encourage anyone who has any information, dashcam or mobile phone footage which could support the investigation to contact us.”
ITV News London quoted the full statement from DCI John:
“We have already arrested four men and our investigation continues at pace. We are aware of the concern that this will cause the local community and those in the area will notice an increased police presence throughout the day.”
Sky News also attributed the appeal for information to DCI John, emphasising the nightclub setting.
The BBC reported that four individuals have been taken into custody on murder allegations following the incident which left two others in critical condition. Police have provided contact details for information: call 101 quoting CAD 1033/6APR, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Why Is There Increased Police Presence in Peckham?
Authorities anticipate community concern over the incident outside a popular nightclub on a bank holiday morning. DCI Neil John, as cited by MyLondon and The Independent, noted that those in the area would notice an increased police presence throughout the day to support the investigation and reassure residents. The Metropolitan Police’s ongoing enquiries aim to establish the full circumstances of the group disturbance.
How Can Witnesses Assist the Police?
Detectives are urging anyone with information, including dashcam or mobile phone footage, to come forward. As stated by DCI Neil John in the Met Police statement reported across outlets:
“We’d encourage anyone who has any information, dashcam or mobile phone footage which could support the investigation to contact us.”
The appeal is specifically tied to the assault outside the busy nightclub, highlighting the potential for bystander recordings.
The Sun noted that the 26-year-old was found with stab wounds outside Laxa Lounge despite emergency efforts. No additional witness accounts have been publicly detailed at this early stage.
Background of the Incident
This stabbing follows a pattern of knife crime incidents in south London, though specific prior events at LAXA Lounge on Ruby Street are not detailed in current reports. Peckham has seen previous violent incidents, such as a 2006 stabbing outside Latimer House in nearby Beaconsfield Road, as documented in historical crime databases, but no direct link to this case exists.
The nightclub is situated in a residential area of Peckham, SE15, known for nightlife on weekends and holidays like Easter Monday. Police appeals via platforms like MIPP indicate standard procedure for such public murder investigations in urban nightlife zones.
