Father of two died after Upper Street stabbing by unidentified attackers
Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after an Islington father of two children was murdered on a busy high street last month.
Jonathan McPhillips, 28, died after being stabbed in what witnesses said was an unprovoked attack while trying to protect a friend of his.
He staggered around 150 metres down Upper Street before collapsing outside the Be At One cocktail bar just after midnight on Saturday 25 February.
“Jonathan’s family have been left completely devastated by the circumstances which led to his death,” said Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams.
“His two young daughters will now grow up with a devastating loss that has deprived them of the chance to know their father.
“At this early stage this appears to be motiveless attack and we have established that Jonathan, who was in the company of seven or eight friends out enjoying the evening … was approached by six or seven males, an altercation occurred and Jonathan was fatally stabbed.”
Mr McPhillips’s cousin, Lainie Carr, told the Evening Standard: “Our family is in grief. He was a devoted dad, son, nephew and cousin who died in the most horrible way. I just hope we can find the person who did this.”
DCI Whellams said the police were asking witnesses, including family members of the attackers, to come forward.
He said in a police statement: “The Upper Street area is usually very busy on a Friday night into the weekend, and we know that there were a number of people out and about who would have seen the altercation or the stabbing.
“I am urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to come forward. It’s important that we progress this investigation and trace the people involved and this can only be done with your help.
“I am also appealing to the friends and family of those who are believed to have carried out this attack. If you have the slightest indication that someone who you know may have been involved I would urge you to make the police aware of your concerns.”