Young man lured to brutal death by childhood friend in savage revenge attack
Friend-turned-enemy stabs Julian to death on London street
Julian Ebanks, 21, a “caring and compassionate” lad, was fatally stabbed on Kender Street on August 4, 2023. The heartbreaker? His childhood mate, Ismaiel Kallon, also 21, who betrayed Julian’s trust in a deadly revenge plot.
Revenge attack sparked by an old stabbing
The court revealed the attack was revenge for a past stabbing in Surrey Quays involving a mutual friend. Kallon and others wrongly suspected Julian had a hand in it.
Julian, who had avoided London for years out of safety fears, had returned to celebrate his brother’s birthday. Trusting Kallon, he revealed his plans — a move Kallon exploited to set the fatal trap. When Julian showed up on Kender Street, he was ambushed by another man and stabbed three times. Despite his injuries, Julian died on the spot.
Grieving family mourns the “joy and laughter” lost
“Where Julian is there is always a sense of happiness and laughter. He was always very caring and compassionate,”
his mother said tearfully during sentencing.
She recalled how Julian was the peacemaker in the family, always smoothing tensions between siblings and filling their home with smiles. “I often wonder if I had stopped Julian from leaving home that night, my son would still be alive today. These thoughts haunt me at night.”
The court’s verdict: betrayal and life behind bars
Kallon handed himself to police but claimed he was an “innocent dupe.” The jury, however, saw through the lie, convicting him of murder for luring Julian to his death.
Judge Nicholas Heathcote Williams blasted Kallon: “You exploited Julian’s trust as a supposed friend, deceived him, and lured him into an ambush.” While the judge acknowledged Kallon may not have intended to kill Julian, he condemned him for offering no help after the attack.
Kallon received a life sentence, with a minimum of 22 years inside, minus time served.
One attacker still on the run
The man who actually stabbed Julian has fled abroad and remains at large. Police are hunting for him and urge anyone with info to contact the Metropolitan Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Julian’s family and community are left shattered by a tragic betrayal that snuffed out a bright young life full of kindness and joy.
