First picture of ‘doting’ dad-of-two stabbed to death at party in north London

Tributes have been paid to a ‘doting’ father-of-two who was stabbed to death at a ‘house party’ just yards from his home.

The victim, named by friends as Gavilán, died on Tiverton Road Haringey in the early hours of Monday.

Witnesses told Metro there had been a party at the flat where forensics were today searching after the 36-year-old was knifed.

One neighbour said: ‘The flat where the forensics are is a party flat. Some young Spanish speaking people moved in last week.

‘There was lots of noise and partying. One of the guys in there had broken his hand. There were quite a few of them in there, all young. It was very loud and us locals clocked them immediately.’

Gavilán, known as Gabbi, moved to the UK from the Dominican Republic around five years ago.

A friend who was with him on Sunday just hours before he died laid a flower at the crime scene in his memory.

He told Metro: ‘He was a great guy, very calm and hardworking. He was all about the family, a real family man, he doted on them.

‘We played snooker on Sunday, everything was fine, all good. I went home then I heard what had happened and I just could not believe it.

‘He was not a person who would attract trouble. He was no way involved in any gang stuff. He came to the UK to work in construction and bring up his family, he was working hard for a good life for them.

‘I’m devastated.’

He added: ‘Gabbi loved basketball, he was really into it. He was a big fan, he loved it and played himself. He’s a tall guy.

‘Just a lovely person, I can’t believe he’s gone. His family, his cousins, they are all in shock.’

Neighbours described being woken by ‘horrific screams’ at the time of the attack.

Gabbi died at the scene after paramedics battled to save him while the air ambulance was also dispatched to the emergency.

A mum-of-three living nearby told Metro: ‘I heard some shouting and screaming, it was horrific.

‘There is a lot of crime around here and drunken shouting, but this was obviously something very serious.

‘The next thing I knew there were blue lights flashing and cops running, it was chaos.

‘Luckily my kids were asleep but the next day we had to pass through the cordon at the crime scene to get to school. It’s very sad that they have to see that.’

Another neighbour said: ‘There was a police raid at a flat in the block. There were loads of officers in riot gear on the corridor they were shouting and bashing on a door. There were massive thuds and shouting as they tried to get in. I realised it must have been connected to the man being attacked.’

A 20-year-old man was arrested at the scene, while a 23-year-old woman and two men, aged 20 and 23, were arrested nearby.

A police cordon remains in place at the scene as forensics officers and detectives trawl for clues.

Footage posted online shows several officers storming a flat as part of the investigation.

Officers are also carrying out door to door inquiries and trawling through footage from around the estate.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘At 4.55am on Monday, 13 January officers were called to reports of a stabbing on Tiverton Road, N15.

‘There is enhanced police presence in the area and a crime scene remains in place while officers from Specialist Crime continue to investigate.’

Detective Chief Superintendent, Caroline Haines from the North Area Command Unit responsible for policing in Haringey, said: ‘We are saddened to hear about this morning’s tragic incident and are working to ensure the man’s family are informed and supported by specialist officers as soon as possible.

‘Our officers acted swiftly and arrested four people on suspicion of murder who are now in custody. Local residents can expect to see more police in the area while we carry our enquiries and as part of extra patrols.

‘We are also urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything related to this incident to contact us, you may have information vital to our investigation.’

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