In a heartbreaking new detail emerging from the investigation into the death of Finbar Sullivan, Metropolitan Police have revealed that the 21-year-old filmmaking student was attacked so suddenly that a video he had been recording on his new camera was left half-finished and still open on the device when help arrived at the scene on Primrose Hill. The violence erupted in what officers described as “a matter of moments,” transforming a peaceful spring evening into tragedy on one of London’s most iconic viewpoints.

standard.co.uk

Murdered student’s father says he ‘wanted to hold dying son’s hand’ as second man appears in court after Primrose Hill stabbing | The Standard

Finbar Sullivan, known to family and friends as “Fin,” left his home in Maida Vale, north London, on Tuesday 7 April 2026, carrying a brand-new camera he had received as a 21st birthday gift. The aspiring cinematographer, a student at the London Screen Academy, often visited Primrose Hill to capture the panoramic skyline. That evening, he went to film the view — a simple creative outing that ended with him sustaining fatal knife wounds near the popular viewing point.

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Primrose Hill Stabbing Tragedy: Remembering Finbar Sullivan, Aspiring Filmmaker (2026)

“It Happened in a Matter of Moments”

Police were called at approximately 6:41pm to reports of a fight at the viewpoint. Upon arrival, officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service found Finbar with multiple stab wounds. Despite around 20 minutes of CPR and extensive resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. A second man in his 20s was also stabbed nearby on Regent’s Park Road; his injuries were non-life-threatening and non-life-changing.

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Primrose Hill Has Been Recognised As London’s Most Scenic View

Detectives have emphasised the speed of the incident. The confrontation broke out in broad daylight amid families, dog walkers, and tourists enjoying the hill’s sweeping vistas of landmarks such as the Shard, the London Eye, and the BT Tower. Witnesses reported chaos unfolding rapidly, with punches, screams, and sudden violence in front of shocked bystanders. Forensic teams later examined the area, including traces near the grass edge where the altercation appears to have escalated.

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Photo Stock Sunset at Primrose hill park, a nice green space closed to Camden town where you can admire the skyline of London | Adobe Stock

A particularly poignant detail shared in updates from the investigation is that Finbar’s camera device was found with a recording still active and only partially completed. He had been capturing the view when the fight erupted, leaving behind a digital fragment of his final moments of creativity — a silent testament to a life interrupted while pursuing his passion. A tripod was also reported standing nearby where he had been filming.

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Young man operating a professional video camera on a tripod. photo – Free Cinematic Image on Unsplash

Charges and Ongoing Court Proceedings

Two men have now been charged in connection with the incident. Oluwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, 27, of Southbury Road in Enfield, north London, was arrested on Friday 10 April, charged with murder on Sunday 12 April, and appeared at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Monday 13 April. In a brief hearing, he confirmed his details and told the judge, “I didn’t kill anybody. I didn’t stab anybody. Police got the wrong person.” He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey.

standard.co.uk

Pictured: Man charged with murder of 21-year-old at Primrose Hill appears in court | The Standard

On Tuesday 14 April, a second suspect, 18-year-old Khalid Abdulqadir of Fellows Road in Camden, was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, violent disorder, and possession of a knife. He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody, with a further hearing scheduled for Inner London Crown Court in May.

Police continue to investigate the full circumstances of the brawl, which involved several young men. They have appealed for information from a young woman or teenager seen filming the confrontation; she was described as wearing a pink vest, blue denim shorts, and black trainers. Her footage, along with any other videos or witness accounts, is considered vital. Officers have stressed that she has not committed any offence.

A Gentle Creative Soul with Big Dreams

Finbar came from a family steeped in the arts. His father, Christopher Sullivan, 65, is an artist, writer, and founder of the 1980s band Blue Rondo à la Turk. His mother, Leah, has connections to filmmaking, and his maternal grandfather is the acclaimed New Zealand cinematographer Michael Seresin, whose work includes Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Rambo III. Finbar dreamed of following in those footsteps.

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London Screen Academy To Set Up A Campus At The Camden Film Quarter

Those who knew him described a “beautiful, lovely, outgoing, loving boy” who did not drink, smoke, or go out much. He stayed home editing films six nights a week and had begun building a portfolio under the alias “Sully Shot It,” producing music videos for British artists. He had recently recovered from an eye impairment and was excited to get back behind the lens with his new camera. Family and friends insist he had no enemies and was not involved in any gang activity or disputes — he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time during an indiscriminate act of violence.

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Finbar Sullivan named as 21-year-old victim of Primrose Hill stabbing | UK News | Sky News

Christopher Sullivan has spoken movingly of his devastation, saying his only son “can never be replaced.” He recounted how Finbar said goodbye before heading to the park and planned to be home for dinner. “He’d just bought a new camera. We all chipped in for his 21st birthday,” the father told reporters. He has vowed to dedicate the rest of his life to his son’s memory and has questioned aspects of the emergency response, expressing that he wished he could have held his dying son’s hand.

standard.co.uk

Murdered student’s father says he ‘wanted to hold dying son’s hand’ as second man appears in court after Primrose Hill stabbing | The Standard

Primrose Hill: From Peaceful Vista to Scene of Heartbreak

Primrose Hill remains one of London’s most cherished green spaces, offering breathtaking views that draw locals and visitors year-round. On clear evenings, its grassy slopes are filled with people picnicking or simply soaking in the city panorama. Yet, like other public areas, it has seen violence before, including a high-profile stabbing on New Year’s Eve 2023.

The 7 April incident has reignited concerns about knife crime in daylight in places meant for relaxation and enjoyment. Police have increased patrols in the area to provide reassurance. Tributes — flowers, cards, and messages — have continued to appear at the viewpoint, turning the site into a focal point for communal grief.

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An Elevated View Of The London Skyline At Sunrise From Primrose Hill Stock Photo High-Res Stock Photo – Getty Images

At the London Screen Academy, staff and students mourn a promising talent in an environment of lights, cameras, and collaborative storytelling. Finbar’s work showed early flair, and his gentle nature left a lasting impression on those around him.

deadline.com

London Screen Academy To Set Up A Campus At The Camden Film Quarter

A Call for Answers and Change

As the legal process advances, with Ogunyankinnu facing the Old Bailey and Abdulqadir appearing in crown court, Finbar’s family and friends seek justice and understanding. Police urge anyone with information, dashcam footage, or private videos from the area between 6:30pm and 7:00pm on 7 April to contact them via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously.

The half-finished recording on Finbar’s device stands as a stark symbol: a young man captured in the act of creation, his artistic vision cut short in seconds of senseless violence. His father’s words capture the irreplaceable loss: “He was just a little groovy 21-year-old who loved movies and making films.”

Finbar Sullivan went to Primrose Hill to film the view on a beautiful spring evening. He left behind a camera, a half-finished clip, a tripod, and a legacy of creativity that those who loved him hope will endure. His story is a devastating reminder of how quickly ordinary moments can shatter — and of the urgent need to address knife crime that continues to claim young lives in London’s public spaces. 💔