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| Family in tribute to murdered boy | Family in tribute to murdered boy |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The mother of murdered teenager Shaquille Smith has spoken about losing a son who was "devoted" to his family. | The mother of murdered teenager Shaquille Smith has spoken about losing a son who was "devoted" to his family. |
| Shaquille, 14, died hours after being stabbed in the stomach in Hackney, east London, on Saturday night. | Shaquille, 14, died hours after being stabbed in the stomach in Hackney, east London, on Saturday night. |
| In a statement Sandra Maitland said: "Shaquille loved life and his family... we loved him dearly and he will always be in our hearts." | In a statement Sandra Maitland said: "Shaquille loved life and his family... we loved him dearly and he will always be in our hearts." |
| Police investigating the murder arrested two males, aged 17 and 19, on Wednesday. | |
| Shaquille was attacked during a confrontation with a group of youths in St Thomas's Place late on Saturday night. | Shaquille was attacked during a confrontation with a group of youths in St Thomas's Place late on Saturday night. |
| Love of Jamaica | Love of Jamaica |
| He was taken to hospital but later died from a single stab wound. His 16-year-old sister was also injured in the attack. | He was taken to hospital but later died from a single stab wound. His 16-year-old sister was also injured in the attack. |
| Shaquille was one of five children and according to police both his parents are social workers. | |
| In a statement released on Wednesday his mother said Shaquille was "mesmerised" by his baby sister who became the "focus of his life". | In a statement released on Wednesday his mother said Shaquille was "mesmerised" by his baby sister who became the "focus of his life". |
| She also said Shaquille wanted to live and work in Jamaica where he regularly visited friends and family. | She also said Shaquille wanted to live and work in Jamaica where he regularly visited friends and family. |
| "Shaquille loved life and his family, including those in Jamaica. | "Shaquille loved life and his family, including those in Jamaica. |
| There is nothing bad I can say about him. He was only 14. He was just happy Sandra Maitland | There is nothing bad I can say about him. He was only 14. He was just happy Sandra Maitland |
| "He spent his young years growing up with his grandmother and other family members. | "He spent his young years growing up with his grandmother and other family members. |
| "Shaquille loved Jamaica...he pleaded with me on a regular basis to let him live in Jamaica." | "Shaquille loved Jamaica...he pleaded with me on a regular basis to let him live in Jamaica." |
| Ms Maitland said in the days leading up to his death Shaquille had spoken of his happiness. | Ms Maitland said in the days leading up to his death Shaquille had spoken of his happiness. |
| "Shaquille said to me a week before his death, 'Mum, this has been my best summer, I have really enjoyed myself. | "Shaquille said to me a week before his death, 'Mum, this has been my best summer, I have really enjoyed myself. |
| "Usually I can't wait for it to be over so I can return to school, but this year I want to stay at home and have more fun'. | "Usually I can't wait for it to be over so I can return to school, but this year I want to stay at home and have more fun'. |
| "Shaquille was special to us... there is nothing bad I can say about him. He was only 14. He was just happy," she said. | "Shaquille was special to us... there is nothing bad I can say about him. He was only 14. He was just happy," she said. |
| Shaquille was the 25th teenager to die in violent circumstances in London this year. | Shaquille was the 25th teenager to die in violent circumstances in London this year. |
| A 19-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday and 17-year-old male was held later the same day. | |
| Detectives said they were keeping an open mind about the motive. | Detectives said they were keeping an open mind about the motive. |
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