The sister of a man stabbed to death described her brother as "cheerful and caring".
Jade Anthony Barnett, who was 38 and used a wheelchair, was attacked in Rushmore Road, Clapton, on Wednesday afternoon.
Shocked friends near the scene described him as "always funny, making jokes" and "upbeat".
Two men have been arrested.
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at 3.38pm to reports of a fight and found a man with a stab injury.
He was treated by London Ambulance Service paramedics but pronounced dead at the scene.
His sister, Simone Barnett, 45, from Hackney, told the PA news agency that her brother was “jolly, cheerful, caring” and that “he never took nothing too seriously, he laughed everything off”.
Mr Barnett used to live in Clapton with his mother but his friends said he had moved to the Stratford area.
Ms Barnett said: “He comes around here (Clapton) all the time, everyone knew my brother – young, old, mothers, fathers, everybody knew my brother.
“Everybody is family, he’s just that character.”
His friends said he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2007.
A woman who was also at the cordon, who did not want to be named, said: “He was always funny, making jokes, friendly with everybody, always had a smile on his face, and always pleasant.
“There’s not a bad thing I could say about him. I know him from long time, he’s a nice guy, very nice guy, always see him, he’s always pleasant.
“You never expect (an incident like this) at all, to be honest, but to him, least of all – he’s just nice, always, always a pleasure to see him, he’s upbeat.”
A man who knew Mr Barnett, but also did not want to be identified, said he was “a young guy, good spirit, no enemies, no guns, no crime, no gangs”.
Two men, aged 28 and 21, have been arrested. They are in custody at an east London police station.
A black and grey electric wheelchair could be seen behind the cordon near a forensics tent at the scene in Overbury Street late on Wednesday.
The cordon reached as far as Rushmore Road.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who is responsible for policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “Our investigation is still in the early stages and my detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances of what has happened this afternoon.
“If anyone has any information about this tragic incident I urge them to come forwards and speak to us, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information.
“A number of streets have been cordoned off as our investigation continues at pace and I am grateful for the patience of the local residents of Clapton.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this difficult time. The public can expect to see continued and significant police activity in the local area as we continue with our rigorous investigation.”
Anyone with any information has been asked to call police on 101 or message @MetCC on X, formerly Twitter, quoting CAD 4793/28AUG.
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