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A popular shopkeeper in South Norwood has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the chest during a violent altercation over a card machine not working.
Metropolitan Police officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics responded to emergency calls at a convenience store on Portland Road just after 8:00pm on Wednesday evening. On arrival, they found the victim — a man in his 40s — suffering from a serious stab wound to the chest.
A bystander revealed the attack unfolded after a customer’s bank card was declined during a payment attempt. An argument is believed to have ensued, before the customer launched a sudden and vicious attack, stabbing the shopkeeper with a knife before fleeing the scene on foot.
Manhunt Launched for Suspect
Officers have launched an investigation, with detectives combing the area for clues. Detectives confirmed that CCTV footage from inside the shop captured the full incident, and are using it to identify and track down the suspect.
Victim in Critical Condition
The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics and trauma medics from London Ambulance Service before being rushed to a major trauma centre. He remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told UKNIP:
“We sent a number of resources including an ambulance crew, a medic in a response car, and a trauma team. A man was treated at the scene and taken as a priority to hospital.”
Community in Shock
The incident has shocked local residents and shop regulars, many of whom gathered outside the taped-off store late into the evening. One customer, who asked not to be named, said:
“He’s one of the kindest men in the community. He always has a smile. I can’t believe someone would do this over a card not working.”
A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16 July to reports of a stabbing on Portland Road, South Norwood.
“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and a paramedic in a fast response car. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London’s Air Ambulance.
“We treated a man for a stab wound and took him to a major trauma centre.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
