Two men in their 20s were being questioned yesterday over the murder of a teenager who was stabbed and then run over by a car while on a trip to local shops.

Michael McCarthy, 19, became involved in an altercation with two men, Scotland Yard said.

He had left his home in Yoakley Road, Stoke Newington, north London, to go to shops in Stoke Newington Church Street when he was attacked.

Officers were called to the incident shortly after 11p.m. on Thursday, and found a man suffering from stab wounds, a spokesman said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination is to take place today.

Police appealed for information regarding a silver or grey Fiat Punto.

The car, which was found near Welwyn Garden City on Friday, was seen driving away shortly after the incident.

Police particularly want to hear from anyone who saw it shortly after the incident, or before the time it was found on Friday.

Two men in their 20s arrested in connection with the inquiry were being held at east London police stations.

Mr McCarthy is the 12th teenager to be murdered in London this year and the ninth to be stabbed. There were 29 teenage killings in the capital last year.