De Montfort University latest: Teenager arrested on suspicion of murder after fatal stabbing near Leicester city centre
A police cordon has been in place in Leicester city centre since Tuesday evening
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a student was fatally stabbed in Leicester city centre near De Montfort University, Leicestershire Police said.
Police were called to the scene just after 5pm on Tuesday after it was reported that a man in his 20s - a student at the university - had collapsed on Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane.
He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later.
Leicestershire Police said an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
The force added: “From enquiries carried out so far, it is believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street. That man left the scene prior to police arriving.”
In a statement, a spokesman for the university said: “We are aware of a very serious incident on our campus. We are working with Leicestershire Police as they launch an immediate investigation.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students and staff who witnessed the incident.”
De Montfort University 'devastated to confirm' death of student
A man in his 20s who died after being stabbed in Leicester city centre on Tuesday was a student at De Montfort University, the vice chancellor has confirmed.
In a statement, Professor Katie Normington said: “We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim.
“We are working with Leicestershire Police as they investigate this major incident.
“Thank you for the messages of support we have been receiving from the community of Leicester: it is a city that knows how to stand together in moments like this.”
BREAKING NEWS
The man in his 20s who was fatally stabbed in Leicester city centre on Tuesday was a student at De Montfort University, vice-chancellor Professor Katie Normington said.
Pictured - police at the scene as murder investigation launched
Victim 'involved in an altercation with another man in street', police believe
In a statement, Leicestershire Police added: “As the investigation continues, police will be carrying out a number enquiries – including reviewing CCTV and speaking to people who were in the area at the time.
“An appeal is also being made for anyone with information or mobile phone or dash cam footage to come forward.
“From enquiries carried out so far, it is believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street. That man left the scene prior to police arriving.”
'One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street', Detective says
Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We are currently piecing together exactly what has occurred on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane between, what is reported, as two men involved in a confrontation.
“One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street. Despite the best efforts of medical staff he died in hospital.
“CCTV in the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist with our investigation. We know a lot of people came to the aid of the victim before emergency services arrived and we want to thank them for their help.
“If you were one of these people and you haven’t yet spoken to police, please make contact with us.
“The incident happened at 5pm so we know the area was also busy with motorists driving along Oxford Street. If you saw anything or captured footage on dash cam as you drove past the area we would also like to hear from you.
“I appreciate the incident has caused major disruption in the city, with a number of roads closed. We are working to reduce this impact as soon as we can.
“Local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols. If anyone has any concerns, please speak to an officer.
“If you can help in any way, call 101 and quote incident number 495 of 3 February.”
Murder investigation underway
In statement, Leicestershire Police said a murder investigation is underway after a man is believed to have been stabbed close to Leicester city centre.
Police were called just after 5pm on Tuesday following a report that a man had collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane.
While officers were en-route to the scene it was reported the man – who is in his 20s – had been stabbed.
The ambulance service also attended, and the man was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary. He died a short time later.
Overnight, detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team have been working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
BREAKING NEWS
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 20s was stabbed in Leicester city centre near De Montfort University, Leicestershire Police said.
Recap - what we know so far about Leicester incident
Here’s what we know so far about the incident in Leicester.
- One person has been taken to hospital following a “very serious incident” at De Montfort University in Leicester on Tuesday, East Midlands Ambulance Service said.
- Emergency services remain at the scene and several road closures are in place.
- Leicestershire Police said on X (formerly Twitter) said the incident was “not a mass stabbing”.
- We are expecting a statement from the police imminently.
Police say 'this was not a mass stabbing'
Replying to a user on X (formerly Twitter), Leicestershire Police said: “Speculation is unhelpful, but we can confirm that this was not a mass stabbing.
“Further details will be published shortly on our website and social media channels.”
One person taken to hospital
A East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson told The Independent: “East Midlands Ambulance Service received a call at 5.03pm on Tuesday 3 February to an address in Leicester.
“The caller reported a medical emergency. We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, three crewed ambulances and a responder from the air ambulance was also in attendance.
“We transported one patient to Leicester Royal Infirmary.”
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