Police quiz two over teenager's murder

LONDON, April 8 (Reuters) Detectives were questioning two teenagers today over the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy who died after being attacked by a gang in east London.

Paul Erhahon, and his 15-year-old friend were found with stab wounds by police officers on Friday night near a block of flats in Leytonstone after being attacked during a confrontation with a large gang of youths.

The 15-year-old remains critically ill in hospital.

Yesterday police arrested a 13-year-old boy at his home in Leytonstone and a 19-year-old man in north London. Both are still being held in custody.

Detective Inspector Matthew Horne said they were keeping an open mind as to the motive but believed a large group of youths were involved in the incident.

''A number of youths were seen running from the scene,'' he said.

Officers have appealed with anyone with any information to come forward while the murder weapon has also not yet been found.

Friends said Erhahon was a music fan who had wanted to become a top rapper.

''I knew Paul from birth,'' read a message left on the tribute website gonetoosoon.co.uk from a family friend called Ali.

''I can't believe he has gone, he was always so positive about life and looked on the bright side of things.'' The murder follows a number of other violent, often gang-related murders involving teenagers.

Adam Regis, 15-year-old nephew of Olympic sprinter John Regis, was stabbed to death in an east London street last month, just days after 16-year-old Kodjo Yenga was knifed to death in west London.

In February, three teenagers were shot dead in separate incidents in south London, sparking intense political debate about violent crime and gang culture among young people.

REUTERS PDM VC1602