JJ McPhillips stabbing: Murder detectives make seventh arrest in hunt for young dad’s killer
From the McPhillips family album, JJ McPhillips - Credit: Archant
Detectives investigating the fatal stabbing of Jonathon “JJ” McPhillips in Upper Street have made a seventh arrest.
Michelle McPhillips carries JJ's coffin at his funeral in March. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
A 19-year-old man was detained on suspicion of murder yesterday and is being held at a police station.
Dad-of-two JJ, 28, was knifed once through the chest in the early hours of February 25 and died days later in hospital.
The Met’s murder squad, led by Det Ch Insp Dave Whellams, have made six arrests so far in the hunt for his killer but no one has been charged.
Speaking before her son’s funeral last month, Michelle McPhillips pleaded for people to come forward with information.
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She said: “We need more information. No one is safe while this person [the killer] is walking around.
“How can someone wake up in the morning and put a knife in their pocket, knowing they may use it? It’s sick. And now my grandkids don’t have a father.”
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She adds: “JJ wasn’t a violent person. He didn’t drink. He was a lover, not a fighter. I know he’d have been trying to be a peacemaker.
“Someone’s mother knows their son did this. Sorry, but covering for him makes them as guilty as the killer. In any case, what life has he got now? It will be a case of always looking over his shoulder.”
Michelle also took part in the “Enough is Enough” march earlier this month, along with other mothers of children lost to knife crime on the streets of Hackney and Islington.
Detectives are still appealing for information over JJ’s killing. Anyone with information can contact police on 020 8345 3775 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or crimestoppers-uk.org.
