Ghanaian teenager stabbed to death in Bronx

(Morris Heights-WABC, February 26, 2006) - The hunt is on for a killer in the Bronx. The suspect stabbed a 15 year old boy [Ghanaian] to death. He immigrated to the US from Ghana just months ago to be with his mother.

Edwin Hammonds collapsed in a pool of blood inside the lobby of the building he moved to a couple of months ago. Neighbors say about five months ago, the teenager came here to the Bronx from Ghana to be with his mother.

Last night around 7:OO p.m., Hammonds was outside of 1641 Andrews Avenue when, neighbors remember, there was a lot of yelling like someone was arguing. Police are trying to piece together what happened next. What they do know is someone then stabbed Hammonds in the torso. The 15 year old was able to stumble into the hallway of his building. He was rushed to Lincoln Hospital where he was pronounced dead about a half hour later.

Neighbors also say Edwin's mother found out about the knifing and broke down. She then had to be rushed to the hospital.

Police were able to find the murder weapon. They say it was a kitchen knife which was tossed in a vacant lot across the street from the murder scene.

Neighbors say they can't imagine who would want to hurt him.

"He was a very good kid. I won't deny it. A very good kid, innocent. He doesn't even know the system here in New York," said a neighbor.

"I was going to train in Yankee Stadium. I was going to jog, and this guy was jogging with me; that's how I know him. He was a very nice and beautiful kid," added another.

No arrests have been made in connection with the stabbing.