Thugs swung metal poles and shouted abuse at a girl, 17, before stabbing her father to death when he tried to defend her, neighbours have claimed as tributes are paid to the victim by close friends.
Two boys, both 14, have been arrested after father-of-three Jamie Markham, 45, was knifed on his doorstep in Chingford, east London, on Monday night while protecting his daughter Chloe.
Neighbours say they spotted a teenage girl, who was wearing a grey vest top and leggings, being 'annoyed' by a group of boys she was with as it started raining heavily on Monday evening.
One said she appeared to 'pull a face' and went to fetch her father, Mr Markham, who had just finished walking the family's pet dog. He then confronted the group of boys and was brutally stabbed, police say.
His heartbroken wife, Candice, was apparently heard screaming when she found the 'kind family man' fatally wounded outside their home.
Candice said: 'The boys were walking around with metal poles. They were swinging them and shouting at my daughter. It's just disgusting. It's not the first time - you see them walking around and smashing bottles in the street.'
On Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of his murder and a second boy, also 14, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Tributes have now been left to Mr Markham and a family friend, who was tearful as she approached the scene of the stabbing today and did not want to be named, said: 'He was my friend, my neighbour. He was kind, a lovely man, a worker.
'He would wake up at 5am, come back 6pm, doing the daily routine with the kids, always with the kids.'
She added: 'We are devastated for Jamie. He was kind, a good person, someone who will always be there for you.
'Anything that you need, he'll always be there, fixing anything that you need from the house. He was always working. He was a very good person, a man with a good heart, a good soul, he didn't deserve that.'
Jamie Markham, 45, (middle) was knifed in Chingford, east London, by thugs who were reportedly swinging metal poles and shouting abuse at his daughter Chloe, 17
Despite the efforts of London Ambulance Service, the father-of-three was pronounced dead at the scene in Chingford Mount
A murder investigation is underway after a man was stabbed to death at the mount in Chingford on Monday evening
Bouquets of flowers and a card were laid in a parking area on Churchill Terrace, where the incident happened and where one police officer remained patrolling on Thursday.
A note with one bouquet read: 'Thinking of you all. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Much love. 37th Chingford Scout Group xx.'
Detective Inspector John Marriott, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: 'We believe that James confronted a group of youths causing a disturbance and was stabbed as a result.
'The brutality of this response is beyond shocking and our thoughts are with James' family who have been left devastated by their loss.
'The arrests of these two individuals is a significant development but we still need the public's help to build a full picture of exactly what happened on Monday evening.
'I know that there were a number of people present at the time of the murder. I want them to come forward.
'I also believe there will be parents who know that their child was there, or was involved. I am appealing for them to do the sensible thing and get in touch with us.
'A dedicated team of officers is working to piece together the tragic circumstances that led to this murder and to bring those responsible to justice.'
Despite the efforts of London Ambulance Service, Mr Markham was pronounced dead at the scene in Chingford Mount.
The area has now been cordoned off by police and detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command have launched a murder inquiry.
It came as bouquets of flowers were today left in tribute to the father, whose death has left the local community in shock.
A neighbour said 'the entire street could hear the screams' of Mr Markham's partner when he died.
Mr Markham's wife Candice (left with daughter Chloe) said she found the 'kind family man' fatally wounded outside their home
Neighbours have claimed Jamie Markham came out of his flat to defend his daughter
A man, who was sat in his car at the time, said he saw a group of eight or nine teenage
