John Moore, a 38-year-old man from Ingrave Road, Brentwood, has been charged with murder following a fatal assault that occurred just 300 metres away from a primary school. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon, and police were called to the scene shortly after 3.30 pm.

Emergency services, including the air ambulance, attended the location where the victim, a man, was tragically pronounced dead. Moore was arrested within an hour of the report being made and has since been charged with murder. He appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning and has been remanded in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at Basildon Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

The assault occurred near Hogarth Primary School, where the school day had just ended moments before. A police cordon remains in place on Ingrave Road, and floral tributes were laid at the scene on Saturday as the community mourns.

Detective Inspector Lisa Hurrell assured local residents that this was an isolated incident, stating, “Our officers responded very quickly, and we are confident there is no ongoing threat to the wider community in Brentwood.

The victim’s family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers. The police are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with information, dashcam footage, or CCTV recordings from the area to come forward.

Residents are encouraged to contact Essex Police via their website or call 101, quoting incident number 715 of 12 September.