Murder arrest after 72-year-old man killed in ‘altercation’ between dog walkers
Another man, 27, taken into custody for questioning over alleged attack
A 72-year-old man has died after an alleged “altercation” between two dog walkers in Northamptonshire.
Police have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of murder following an alleged attack in the village of Roade, near Northampton, on Wednesday afternoon.
Officers were called to reports of an assault at 4.20pm.
“Despite the best efforts of paramedics and members of the public, the man died a short time later,” a Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said.
The 27-year-old, from Northampton, has been taken into custody for questioning.
Detective Inspector Pete Long, of the East Midlands major crime team, said: “At the present time and in order to preserve best evidence, we are treating this incident as a murder investigation.
“As the public can well imagine, this is an exceptionally fast-moving investigation and a team of detectives from the major crime team are working around the clock to gather all the evidence and ascertain exactly what happened here.
“I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened or who may have information about the incident to please come forward and help us.
“I am particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have witnessed an altercation between two dog walkers in the area of Hyde Road and Blisworth Road between 3.50pm and 4.20pm.”
Specialist officers are supporting the 72-year-old’s family “at what is an extremely distressing time”, he added.