This is the first picture of a 15-year-old schoolboy stabbed to death in a suspected botched robbery after picking his little sister up from primary school.

Police found teenager Pharrell Garcia collapsed on the ground in Hackney having suffered fatal stab wounds at around 4pm yesterday afternoon.

The ‘horrific’ incident took place on the grounds of a block of flats next to Benthal Primary School, where Pharrell had been a pupil before going on to secondary school.

Met Police today confirmed they have arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder after he fled the scene.

Two friends from his school told of how Pharrell had been visiting a friend who lives in the area, and was about to leave on a Lime bike he had rented when someone ‘tried to rob him’.

Pharrell Garcia, 15, was stabbed to death after picking up his younger sister from primary school

Two friends told how Pharrell had visited a friend and was about to leave on a Lime Bike before someone tried to rob him

They said Pharrell had tried to run, but the robber ‘banged him on the head’ before stabbing him in the lungs, causing him to suffocate.

It is understood he had gone to the area to pick up his sister from the primary school, before then meeting his friend.

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Tributes poured in for the teen on social media from shocked friends who said he always wore ‘a smile on his face’.

A loved one wrote: ‘Rest in peace bro. I heard this and broke down.

‘You have left your loved ones not just in tears but filled with questions.

‘You always would argue and fight me, make me laugh and walk around with a smile on your face. Can’t really say much other than Rip. Big bro.’

Other friends posted videos of memories they had shared together, with the label ‘LLP. Gonna miss my brother man.’

Residents in the flats said people had tried to perform CPR on the boy, who had collapsed on the floor, but to no avail.

One woman told of how her children, aged just 7 and 10, were playing right by where the murder happened and had seen the boy collapse. The children told their mother they then saw a masked person who looked ‘very scary’ run off.

The mother said: ‘I’m scared for my kids.

‘It’s a nice area all the kids play together, now it doesn’t feel safe.

‘My girl, she was traumatised. When she saw it she was crying her eyes out. She was saying she doesn’t feel safe and wants to move.

‘She was so scared that I didn’t know how to calm her down.

‘It’s so close to home. They play there every day.’

A forensic tent at the scene on the grounds of a block of flats next to Benthal Primary School

Residents in the flats said people had tried to perform CPR on Pharrell, who had collapsed on the floor, but to no avail

She said paramedics attempted to resuscitate the boy when they arrived at the scene, and that they could see blood everywhere.

She said: ‘When the paramedics were here they just kept giving him CPR, there was blood on their gloves. They were trying to hard to save him.’

Another resident said: ‘Of course it’s scary. There never used to be this kind of thing but how our flats have turned into some kind of Bermuda Triangle.

‘There was a shooting round the other side a while ago, and an Uber driver was stabbed on the other side. Now this.

‘I heard the incident started further up by a little park-like bit and ended down here on the grounds.

‘Someone that was looking over from the flats told me they heard the pair saying things like ‘what, what, what you looking at’.

‘A kid was mugged here just two days over so knows if it was a similar thing.’

Speaking about the area, he said: ‘It’s turned into a sort of gangland. The flats are no man’s land but they pass through here, through the alleyways.

‘The council don’t do anything to prevent this kind of thing, they don’t do anything for the young kids.’

A police cordon remains in place at the scene, where a single bouquet of lilies has been laid.

Officers have also seized two Lime hire bikes which have been covered in police tape. 

Pharrell is the second 15-year-old to be killed in London this week after Rene Graham was shot dead at a family fun day in Ladbroke Grove park on Sunday.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said local people could expect to see a higher police presence in the area over the coming days amid an ongoing investigation

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who leads policing in Hackney, said: ‘Last night our detectives worked around the clock to start to piece together what happened and as a result of these enquiries we have arrested a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of murder.

‘He remains in custody for questioning.

‘I know the community will be searching for answers today and will be shocked and angry at this tragic loss of life.

‘I want them to know that we will do everything in our power to provide those answers and bring those responsible to justice.

‘Our investigation continues at pace today with officers conducting house-to-house enquiries, reviewing hours of CCTV, and speaking to witnesses. Local people can also expect to see a higher police presence in the area over the coming days as our enquiries continue.

‘We know that there were people in and near to Stellman Close yesterday afternoon and we’d appeal directly to them to get in touch. Despite the arrest your information is still crucial.

‘No one should have to lose a child and events this week in London are a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of knife crime and serious violence. It tears families apart and robs our children of their futures.’