Key Points
- Ellis Anim-Annor, 28, of Belgravia Gardens, Bromley (born 28.08.1997), charged with murder and scheduled to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
- Incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 15 February 2026, at Hesterman Way, Croydon (near Valley Retail Park), around 01:15hrs, following reports of a stabbing.
- Victim Lorik Abazi, 22, from Croydon, found with stab wounds, taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service, and died despite medical efforts; family supported by specialist officers.
- Two other men, both aged 21, also found with stab wounds; one had life-threatening injuries, both arrested on suspicion of affray.
- Total of 10 arrests in connection with the incident.
- Initial arrests on Sunday, 15 February: two women (both 25) and one man (28, now charged) on suspicion of murder; both women later bailed.
- On Wednesday, 18 February: one of the 25-year-old women re-arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice (bailed); a 21-year-old man (injured) discharged from hospital, taken into custody, then bailed; separate 21-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice (bailed).
- On Sunday, 15 February: two men (both 21) and two women (21 and 22) arrested on suspicion of affray; the two women and one man bailed.
- On Thursday, 19 February: two women, both 22, arrested on suspicion of affray; they remain in custody.
- Family tribute describes Lorik Abazi as a “caring, smart young man with a good sense of humour and his whole future ahead of him”; family devastated, requesting privacy.
- Police appeal for information, CCTV, or dash cam footage via Major Incident Public Portal, 101 (quoting CAD 511/15Feb), or Crimestoppers anonymously (0800 555 111).
- Enquiries continue; believed isolated incident with increased patrols in Croydon.
Croydon (South London News) February 19, 2026 – Detectives investigating a fatal stabbing in Croydon have charged Ellis Anim-Annor, 28, of Belgravia Gardens, Bromley, with murder, as reported in the official Metropolitan Police Service update. He is due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court this morning. The charge follows the death of 22-year-old Lorik Abazi, who succumbed to stab wounds sustained in the early hours of Sunday, 15 February, at Hesterman Way near Valley Retail Park.
Police were called at approximately 01:15hrs on 15 February following reports of a stabbing, attending alongside the London Ambulance Service, where they discovered three men with stab wounds. Lorik Abazi was rushed to hospital but, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he sadly passed away. His next of kin have been informed and are receiving support from specialist family liaison officers, according to the Met Police statement.
What Happened in the Croydon Stabbing Incident?
The altercation unfolded in the early hours of 15 February 2026 at Hesterman Way, part of the Valley Retail Park area in Croydon, south London, a location featuring shops, a cinema, and restaurants that was subsequently closed as a crime scene.
As detailed in the Metropolitan Police’s initial investigation launch on 14 February, officers found three men suffering stab wounds upon arrival. Lorik Abazi, 22 and local to Croydon, was pronounced dead at hospital, while the other two victims, both 21-year-old men, received treatment—one with potentially life-threatening injuries.
Inside Croydon reported that the incident occurred soon after 1am off the Purley Way, naming Abazi as the fatality in their 16 February coverage. Southwark News confirmed Abazi’s death after he was found wounded on Hesterman Way in the early hours of Sunday.
Hello Rayo UK noted police response at 01:15hrs, with Abazi transported to hospital but not surviving. The Metropolitan Police’s Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) for Operation Deerborn specified calls between 01:00hrs and 01:15hrs to Valley Leisure Park—likely a reference to the retail park—for stabbing reports.
Who Is the Man Charged with Murder?
Ellis Anim-Annor, aged 28 and residing at Belgravia Gardens in Bromley, born on 28 August 1997, faces the murder charge, as stated directly in the Met Police news release dated 18 February.
He was among the first arrested on suspicion of murder on the afternoon of 15 February, alongside two 25-year-old women. No further personal details or prior history were disclosed in official reports at this stage, with proceedings set to begin at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on 19 February.
Who Was Lorik Abazi and What Did His Family Say?
Lorik Abazi, 22, from Croydon, has been formally named as the victim across multiple outlets. In a heartfelt tribute reported by the Evening Standard, Mr Abazi’s family stated:
“Lorik was a caring, smart young man with a good sense of humour and his whole future ahead of him. We, his parents, brother, girlfriend, grandparents and extended family and friends loved him very much. A light has gone out in our lives, and we are devastated beyond words by his loss. We kindly ask for privacy at this time.”
The Express described him as a “compassionate” young man in their 17 February article on the triple stabbing. Coverage in Albanian media, such as Joq Albania, highlighted community shock among the Albanian diaspora, noting Abazi’s Kosovan roots and links to singer Ganimete Abazi (Ganja), though no direct family quotes beyond the English tribute were attributed.
What Arrests Have Police Made So Far?
A total of 10 individuals have now been arrested in connection with the incident, up from seven reported earlier in the week, per the latest Met Police update.
- On the afternoon of Sunday, 15 February, three people—two women both aged 25, and a 28-year-old man (now Ellis Anim-Annor, charged)—were arrested on suspicion of murder. Both women have been bailed, though one was re-arrested on 18 February for perverting the course of justice and bailed pending further investigation.
- Also on 15 February, two men both aged 21 (the other injured parties) and two women aged 21 and 22 were arrested on suspicion of affray. The two women and one man have been bailed. The second 21-year-old man, discharged from hospital on 18 February after life-threatening injuries, was taken into custody and released on bail.
- On Wednesday, 18 February, a 21-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and bailed pending enquiries.
- On Thursday, 19 February, two females both aged 22 were arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody.
BBC News and Sky News early reports mentioned initial arrests including two men and a woman on murder suspicion, aligning with the 25-year-olds and Anim-Annor. Ground News aggregated similar details on the Valley Retail Park scene.
What Are Police Statements on the Investigation?
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, leading the investigation, stated as reported in the Met Police’s 14 February update:
“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family at this hugely difficult time, we cannot begin to imagine what they are going through. We understand that this incident will be distressing to the local community. My officers continue to work at pace to unpick the events that unfolded and to apprehend those responsible. We urge anyone who may have knowledge of the incident to get in touch with police immediately.”
Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn, overseeing Croydon policing, told the Evening Standard:
“My thoughts are with Lorik’s family and loved ones, who have suffered an unimaginable loss. Detectives are working around-the-clock to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice. I want to appeal to anyone with knowledge of what happened or who has footage that could help our detectives to share it with the police. I know a tragic incident like this will concern people locally. We believe this to have been an isolated incident and I hope the fact we have a number of suspects in custody provides some reassurance to people in Croydon. We have increased patrols in the local area and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to my officers.”
Enquiries continue, with a public appeal for CCTV, dash cam footage, or information via the Major Incident Public Portal, 101 (CAD 511/15Feb), or Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).
Where Did the Stabbing Take Place and What Is the Local Impact?
Hesterman Way lies within or adjacent to Valley Retail Park (also called Valley Leisure Park in some reports), off Purley Way in Croydon, south London—a busy commercial hub with Vue cinema, bowling, and eateries that was cordoned off post-incident. Inside Croydon noted the site remained closed on 16 February as a crime scene.
The tragedy has shocked the local community, coming amid concerns over knife crime in south London, though police deem it isolated with boosted patrols. Mirror Online reported seven arrests initially in the murder probe after the triple stabbing.
This incident occurred hours after a separate fatal stabbing in Peckham on 14 February, though unrelated per police. As a seasoned journalist covering south London boroughs, such events underscore ongoing challenges with public safety in urban retail areas, prompting calls for vigilance and community cooperation in investigations.
