Key Points
- Victim Identified: 23-year-old Elijah Seriki was fatally stabbed on Andre Street in Hackney, East London, on July 13.
- Police Appeal: The Metropolitan Police are urgently seeking to locate two men, Cavalli Harriott, 22, and Jayqwan Stevens-Burke, 23, in connection with the murder investigation.
- Suspect Details: Cavalli Harriott is from Hackney; Jayqwan Stevens-Burke is known to frequent both Hackney and Grays in Essex.
- Incident Timeline: Officers were called to the scene at approximately 1:40 pm on Monday, July 13, following reports of an injured man. Mr Seriki was pronounced dead shortly thereafter in the vicinity of Hackney Downs.
- Ongoing Inquiry: Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams is leading the investigation, which includes reports that two suspects were seen fleeing the scene along Anton Street toward Sandringham Road.
- Public Assistance: Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the police immediately or remain anonymous via Crimestoppers.
Hackney (Extra London News) July 18, 2026 – Metropolitan Police detectives have launched an intensive manhunt for two men as part of a murder investigation following the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Elijah Seriki in Hackney earlier this week. The incident, which occurred in broad daylight on Monday, July 13, has prompted a major appeal for public assistance as investigators work to reconstruct the events that led to the tragedy near the Mossbourne Community Academy.
Why are police searching for Cavalli Harriott and Jayqwan Stevens-Burke?
The Metropolitan Police have formally released the names and photographs of two individuals they are desperate to locate. As reported by MyLondon, detectives are seeking to speak with 22-year-old Cavalli Harriott and 23-year-old Jayqwan Stevens-Burke in connection with the fatal stabbing.
According to the official statement provided by the Metropolitan Police, Harriott is a resident of Hackney, while Stevens-Burke is known to frequent both the East London borough and the town of Grays in Essex. The urgency of the search was underscored by Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams, who is heading the investigation. As quoted by London Now, DCI Whellams stated: “We continue to carry out extensive enquiries to build up a picture of the events of that afternoon. We are now appealing to the public to help us progress our investigation and would urge anyone who knows the whereabouts of Cavalli Harriott and/or Jayqwan Stevens-Burke to contact police”.
What happened on the day of the incident?
The fatal attack took place on Monday, July 13, amidst the busy surroundings of Hackney. Officers were alerted to the scene on Andre Street shortly after 1:40 pm following reports that a man had sustained serious injuries. Despite the swift response from emergency services, Mr Seriki was pronounced dead a short time later in the nearby Hackney Downs area.
Further operational details released via the MIPP (Major Incident Public Portal) indicate that following the assault, two suspects were observed fleeing the location on foot. They were seen running from Andre Street along Anton Street toward Sandringham Road. The proximity of the incident to the Mossbourne Community Academy initially raised concerns, though authorities have clarified that the event is being treated as isolated and is not believed to have involved the school directly.
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How is the local community responding to the murder?
The death of Mr Seriki has cast a pall over the local community. Following the crime, forensics teams were deployed to the area, with a tent erected at the entrance to Hackney Downs Road, located just metres from a local play area where children are regularly seen.
The Mayor of Hackney, Zoë Garbett, expressed deep concern over the incident. In a statement reported by MyLondon, Mayor Garbett remarked:
“Elijah’s death is shocking and saddening. We know that our residents will be worried and upset, and we are offering our support to those affected by this incident. Our teams are ready to provide assistance to the police in their investigation as needed”.
What should you do if you have information?
The Metropolitan Police are maintaining a high-pressure effort to trace the two named suspects and are calling on the public to act as their eyes and ears.
Individuals with any information regarding the whereabouts of Cavalli Harriott or Jayqwan Stevens-Burke are being directed to follow specific reporting channels to ensure the investigation remains on track. According to the Metropolitan Police News desk, members of the public should call 101 or contact the force directly, quoting reference 4139/13JUL.
For those who wish to maintain their anonymity—or who are uncomfortable speaking directly to the police—the independent charity Crimestoppers remains available as a secure alternative. Reports can be made by calling 0800 555 111 or by submitting details online through the Crimestoppers website.
Is this incident related to previous gang violence in Hackney?
The name Elijah Seriki has appeared in legal reporting in the past. As documented by The Guardian and ITV News in 2024, an individual named Elijah Seriki, aged 21 at the time, was a co-defendant in a high-profile trial at the Old Bailey concerning the murder of 42-year-old mother Lianne Gordon, who was shot through her front door in December 2023.
In that previous case, Mr Seriki was acquitted of all charges on October 30, 2024, after a jury trial that explored the dynamics of local gang feuds in Hackney. It is important to note that the current murder investigation into the death of the 23-year-old Elijah Seriki on July 13, 2026, is a separate and distinct incident being handled by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime unit under the name “Operation DUDTAR”. At this stage, police have not publicly linked the circumstances of his death to the 2024 trial proceedings, and the investigation remains focused on the events of July 13, 2026, in Andre Street.
The investigation continues, and police are actively following up on all leads to bring the perpetrators of the Hackney Downs killing to justice.
