Murder investigation launched after De Montfort University student fatally stabbed
A murder investigation has been launched after a student was fatally stabbed near De Montfort University in Leicester.
Leicestershire Police were called to the scene just after 5pm on Tuesday to reports that a man in his twenties, a university student, had collapsed on Oxford Street near the junction with Bonners Lane.
He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary and died there a short time later. An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody.
Vice-chancellor Katie Normington said the victim was a student at De Montfort. He said in a statement: “We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by what happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the victim’s family.
“We are working with Leicestershire Police as they investigate this major incident.
“We are grateful for the messages of support we have received from the Leicester community: Leicester is a city that knows how to pull together in moments like these.”
Police said that, based on investigations so far, the victim is believed to have been fighting in the street with another man who left the scene before police arrived.
A large cordon remained in place Wednesday and many streets around campus were closed.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Lorna Granville said: “We are now piecing together exactly what happened between the two men reportedly involved in the shooting at the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane.
“It is believed that one of the men was stabbed and collapsed on the street. Despite all the efforts of medical staff, he died in hospital.
“CCTV from the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist our investigation. We know many people came to the victim’s aid before emergency services arrived and we would like to thank them for their assistance.”
“If you are one of these people and have not yet spoken to the police, please contact us.
“The incident occurred at 5pm, so we know the area is also busy with motorists driving along Oxford Street. If you saw anything driving through the area or captured footage on your dashcam, we would also like to hear from you.”
Tye Crofton, 19, who works at the De Montfort University Innovation Center in Pennsylvania, said they heard a scream before seeing the man lying on the ground.
They said: “I was about to finish work at five minutes before 5pm […] and then I heard a scream.”
They said that before the ambulance arrived, university campus security arrived with a defibrillator.
They added: “It happened around 5pm and everyone was getting off work so there were a lot of people around.
“There was another person there who held two phones to each ear and then talked to them, and I assumed they were already communicating. [East Midlands Ambulance Service].”
