600 turn out for vigil to stabbed teen Alan Cartwright a week on from his 'senseless' death

 
Tributes: Friends, family and well-wishers laid flowers and lit candles (Picture: Emily Thornberry)
Sebastian Mann6 March 2015
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Hundreds gathered tonight for an emotional vigil at the spot where teenager Alan Cartwright died exactly one week ago after being stabbed as he cycled with friends.

Family, friends and well-wishers gathered outside the Cally Pool on Caledonian Road in Islington, where they held a minute's silence at the precise time the 15-year-old was attacked.

Earlier this week police released footage of the moment Alan was stabbed in the chest as he cycled along Caledonian before collapsing a short distance away. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Islington MP Emily Thornberry, who was among those to attend the candlelit vigil, said she thought around 600 people came along to pay their respects.

Stabbed to death: Alan Cartwright was killed as he cycled with friends in Islington

She said the atmosphere was still and quiet, save for a moment where the large crowd rippled into applause after Alan's family laid a tribute at the spot where he died in the street.

She told the Standard: "People just don't understand how this can be happening. We've had too many of these - one after another and each time it just hits the community really hard."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Tonight I joined the family of Alan Cartwright &amp; 600 local residents, a week after his senseless senseless death <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=http://t.co/JZdirx3WDI" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-87251-http://t.co/JZdirx3WDI" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/JZdirx3WDI</a>— Emily Thornberry MP (@EmilyThornberry) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/EmilyThornberry/status/573936693071515648" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-87251-https://twitter.com/EmilyThornberry/status/573936693071515648" data-vars-event-id="c23">March 6, 2015</a>

Many others also took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Candles light the pavement where Alan Cartwright died a week ago. A large group of people in a solemn vigil tonight. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=http://t.co/FlYoFayTS8" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-87251-http://t.co/FlYoFayTS8" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/FlYoFayTS8</a>— Paul Convery (@Paul_Convery) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Paul_Convery/status/573947453013147650" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-87251-https://twitter.com/Paul_Convery/status/573947453013147650" data-vars-event-id="c23">March 6, 2015</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Very emotional evening on the Cally at the candlelit vigil for Alan Cartwright exactly a week after his sense less death. RIP Alan— shazzaaaaaa (@ShazzyB) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ShazzyB/status/573945813510066176" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-87251-https://twitter.com/ShazzyB/status/573945813510066176" data-vars-event-id="c23">March 6, 2015</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Just drove past a vigil on Cally Road where Alan Cartwright lost his life. Hundreds of floral tributes. Heart hurts.— Mandy Rowson (@Mandy_Rowson) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Mandy_Rowson/status/573949127018561536" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-87251-https://twitter.com/Mandy_Rowson/status/573949127018561536" data-vars-event-id="c23">March 6, 2015</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">beautiful vigil for alan cartwright on my road - the cally - right now. there truly is a wonderful community here, it's not an awful area.— ZOE LONDON ☮ (@zoelondondj) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/zoelondondj/status/573934215428988928" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-87251-https://twitter.com/zoelondondj/status/573934215428988928" data-vars-event-id="c23">March 6, 2015</a>

Tonight's vigil came as police charged a man with Alan's murder.

Joshua Williams, 18, of Davenant Road, Islington, is set to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court tomorrow accused of murder and conspiracy to rob.

Three other teenagers have been arrested as part of Scotland Yard's investigation.

An 18-year-old man remains in custody after a warrant of further detention was granted, the force said.

A 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man have been bailed.

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