By News Editor Declan Wilkes

The murder of 14-year-old Shaquille Maitland-Smith may have been fueled by a bitter gang feud from the Notting Hill Carnival - friends have suggested.

The schoolboy died after he was chased by a gang of up to 15 hooded youths and knifed in the stomach at St Thomas Place, Hackney on Saturday night.

Two year old battle

While it's believed Shaquille was an innocent victim of youth thuggery - friends from his area, E9, have been locked in a fierce 'postcode war' with gangs from London Fields, known as 'The Field Boys.'

His death may have been sparked from a brawl at the Notting Hill Carnival two years ago between a younger lad from London Fields and an older boy from E9.

Fears of revenge

In the raw heat of the moment friends had to hold back a pal armed with a kitchen knife who vowed revenge. Police and residents are fearful of retaliatory attacks in the coming days; a friend said that this was now a 'war.'

No arrests have been made.

Shaquille's murder occurred less than half a mile away from the tower block where 16-year-old Ahmed Benyermak fell to his death two weeks ago after fleeing a gang of youths on bikes.

Attack on friend sparked the stabbing

The victim and his sister, Titi, were with a friend when two youths attacked the pal and said they'd return with a knife.

The gang later chased the pair on their BMX's, cornered the two and killed Shaquille. His sister was also slashed in the face and neck and remains in hospital.

Dying in mothers arms

The teen staggered, bleeding to death, to a cemetery and collapsed. Shaquille's two other sisters witnessed the murder.

His mother Sandra, 43, raced to the scene after neighbors heard the commotion and rushed into the street. She cradled her dying son in her arms until paramedics arrived.

The 25th

Medics at the Royal London Hospital were initially hopeful for the boy after discovering the blade had not punctured his liver, rather his bowel.

He was conscious and spoke to his mother as he went in for surgery at 2am - but died at 7am becoming the 25th youth killed violently in London this year.

Photo - Released by family