De Montfort University (DMU) will hold a moment of reflection on its Leicester campus on Wednesday, 11 February, following the death of student Khaleed Oladipo.
The event aims to provide a quiet, respectful space for the university community, partners, and the wider city to come together.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
The university described the gathering as an opportunity to acknowledge the tragic events of last week and to support one another during a profoundly difficult time. The programme will include a short welcome, a period of silence, readings, and will conclude with a quiet departure. Participants are invited to arrive from 4.50pm, with the event scheduled to start at 5pm and finish around 5.40pm. It will take place on the steps of the Hawthorn Building, Hawthorn Square.
Mr Oladipo, 20, a second-year cyber-security student at DMU, died in hospital last Tuesday evening (February 3) after being stabbed on Oxford Street, Leicester, near the university campus. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 17:00 GMT, and several nearby roads were closed as police responded.
An 18-year-old man, Harper Dennis of Bath Lane, Leicester, has been charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Dennis appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and is due to appear next at Leicester Crown Court later today (February 10) Police confirmed that he also faces two unrelated charges of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
Mr Oladipo’s family, from London, paid tribute to him as “a good boy who loved his family” and thanked members of the public who stopped to try to help him after the attack. “We cannot begin to put into words how sad we are to have lost Khaleed. He was an extremely loved son, brother, uncle, boyfriend and friend,” they said.
DMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington said she was “devastated” by Oladipo’s death. The university has offered direct support to students, staff, and the family and expressed gratitude for the many messages of support received from alumni, other universities, partner organisations, and individuals across Leicester and beyond.
The moment of reflection is part of DMU’s effort to support its community and allow Leicester to stand together during this difficult time.
