Two 14-year-old boys from Watford and a 16-year-old girl were last night charged with the murder of Jordan Carter in Berkhamsted.
Police were called to Westfield Road in the town on Friday night (February 23) and found 18 year old Jordan with a stab wound to his leg. Jordan, who lived locally, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The three are remanded to appear before Hatfield Remand Court today.
Herts Police say Jordan’s family is being supported by specialist officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who are leading the investigation.
Jordan’s father Ian said in a statement: “I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone for their kind messages of love and support. It is heartfelt and so appreciated.
“I simply cannot respond to every message we have had, but just want to thank you all. It is by far the hardest thing we have ever had to endure, and have a long hard road to travel over the coming days, weeks, months and for the rest of our lives. Thank you again.”
Jordan died despite the efforts of an ambulance crew who had raced to Westfield Road, Berkhamsted on Friday night shortly after 10.15pm.
The crew found him suffering from a serious leg injury by a front garden in the residential street.
He was pronounced dead at the scene a short while later and police immediately launched a murder hunt to find his killer.
Officers set up a cordon in Westfield Road as scenes of crime investigators gathered evidence in the area.
The teenager lived just a few hundred yards from the spot where he died.
Neighbours in the street spoke of their shock at the events of Friday night when, just after 10.15pm, an ambulance and police vehicles had suddenly arrived in the street.
One woman said “It’s so sad and it’s a tragedy.
“The police erected a tent over the spot where the boy was found and the area was cordoned off over the weekend.”
The dead youth had in the past attended the nearby Northchurch Baptist Church youth nights.
The church’s minister, the Rev David Russell, said “He had attended our youth nights with his brother from time to time. He came with his friends and he was certainly known to our youth worker here.
“In church we said prayers for him and his family and everyone involved.
“Where it happened is just a few hundred yards away so this is a real shock to the community. It’s terrible because Berkhamsted is a such a peaceful area.”
Detectives say a “fast moving” murder investigation is underway.
Over the weekend police have stepped up patrols in the area.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Branston from the Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “This is a fast moving investigation with a number of lines of enquiry which we are currently pursuing.
“I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact police as soon as possible.”
Paul Mitson, the Chief Inspector for the area , said: “I know this incident will come has as a shock to people in Berkhamsted. We are committed to finding out exactly what happened and residents may have seen a significant policing presence in the town today as we investigate the circumstances around this tragic death.
“We are increasing the number of officers on patrol in the area today and this evening. Please feel free to approach them if you have any concerns.”
Picture Courtesy of South Herts News
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