‘Cowards face a lifetime of guilt, shame and eternal damnation for killing my son’

A mother has described the attackers who killed her teenage son as ‘cowards’ - as she made a tearful appeal for those involved in her son’s death to come forward.

Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia, 19, was stabbed to death in Grosvenor Road Triangle Park in St Pauls at around 11pm on Friday 21 July. Three men are on police bail after being arrested over his murder.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday (August 10), Eddie’s mother Irene Muthemba called for an end to ‘senseless bloodshed’ - and asked anyone with information to contact police. She said: “I will never understand why.

“We all make mistakes sometimes but mistakes do not give anybody the right to end someone else’s life. To think that someone woke up and decided they have the right to rip our hearts wide open. In a needless, senseless, shameless and cowardly act of violence is so distressing.

“Those boys riding around the area for a while looking for a moment to attack and hurt you. Along with anyone else that was in on it supporting them, aiding them and now covering for them and hiding them.

“I don’t have the capacity to hate them or even feel angry. I just feel incredibly sad for their souls. I’m appealing to your conscience, because someone out there must know something that can assist to get justice for Eddie. We can have a peaceful resolution. Because there’s already been enough senseless bloodshed.”

Irene also described the attackers as ‘cowards’ for targetting her son while he was on his own and not giving him a chance.

She added: “There is absolutely no need for these wars that have become so entrenched in today’s youth culture. Especially over ground and boundaries that none of you actually own. This world belongs to everyone and there is enough to share.

“Your evil actions only cause devastation to families and gain you nothing good whatsoever. Ending someone else’s life won’t enrich your life in any way at all. “How about you learn to settle your differences with words like real men do. Instead of using weapons and hiding behind a mask and within a group.

“If killing EK or luring him to his death was a statement to be proud of you wouldn’t be now hiding.”

As she paid tirbute to Eddie, who she described as a “star” with a “dazzling smile” she addressed his killers and added: “So what did you actually gain by ending his life? Apart from a lifetime of guilt, shame and eternal damnation. God is watching you and you won’t have any peace while Eddie’s blood cries out from the street.”

The latest arrest happened on Tuesday 8 August and the suspect, a man in his 20s from Bristol, was released under investigation yesterday, Wednesday 9 August. A man who was arrested on Monday 7 August has been released on conditional police bail. Two other men also remain on bail.

Another man, who was arrested near the scene shortly after the attack, has been eliminated from the investigation.

Avon and Somerset Police still want to hear from anyone who was in Grosvenor Road or the park area between 10.30 and 11.30pm that Friday or saw two people in dark clothing riding an electric motorbike similar to a Sur-Ron in the area that night.

The force said: “If you can help us find answers for Eddie’s grieving family and friends, please call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5223175298, or quote Operation Barclay.”