The young man stabbed to death at Brent Cross shopping centre has been pictured for the first time, as his ‘heartbroken’ mother paid an emotional tribute.

Gedeon Ngwadema, 21, was fatally wounded after a fight reportedly broke out by Marks and Spencer at 6.45pm on Tuesday.

Privacy screens were put up outside the shop as paramedics tried to save his life, but Gedeon sadly died at the scene.

His mother Thethe Elonga broke down in tears as she arrived at the shopping centre today.

‘I’m heartbroken,’ she told the Evening Standard. ‘He was a wonderful boy, respectful and lovely.

‘He did very well at school and had a very bright future ahead of him. I don’t know how this could have happened. He was a great boy and loved by everyone.’

Gedeon had been at home with his mother when a friend called yesterday and asked him to go out, his uncle Fred said today.

He initially refused, saying he wanted to stay home after just going out shopping with his mother earlier.

But his uncle said his friends managed to convince him to join them. A few hours later he was dead.

His uncle said: ‘He was a very good boy, quiet and polite. He wanted to do businesses studies and then set up his own business one day selling clothing or food.

‘It’s very shocking and I feel completely down, it’s unbelievable.

‘He’d just been shopping with his mum to buy some water when his friends called and said, “Oh bruv, can you come?”

‘He said, “man, I’m tired, I don’t want to go out, I just want to stay here with my mum.”

‘Then he came here and he was stabbed.’

Police praised the ‘courage’ of bystanders who gave Gedeon first aid before officers and paramedics arrived.

An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody, along with a second youth, also believed to be 18, who was arrested on suspicion of affray.

Gedeon was the 33rd person to be murdered in the capital this year, and the 26th to be fatally stabbed.

Chief Superintendent Sara Leach said: ‘My thoughts are with the loved ones of the young man who has been killed in this incident.

‘I would like to offer my thanks to the members of the public who came to his aid. They showed considerable courage.

‘Two people have been arrested and an investigation is already under way. We will do all we can to identify and bring to justice those responsible.’

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