A murder investigation is underway after a student was fatally stabbed near Leicester city centre, close to De Montfort University (DMU), yesterday evening.
Police were called just after 5pm on Tuesday 3 February following reports that a man in his 20s had collapsed on Oxford Street, near the junction with Bonners Lane. Emergency services attended, and the victim was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he later died.
Picture credit: Google Maps
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team are reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses to determine the full circumstances of the incident. Police have also appealed for anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage to come forward.
Early enquiries suggest the victim was involved in an altercation with another man at around 5pm. He left the scene before officers arrived. A scene preservation remains in place while forensic and search teams examine the area.
While officers were en route to the scene it was reported the man had been stabbed.
He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he died a short time later.
De Montfort University has confirmed that the victim of the fatal stabbing was one of its students.
Katie Normington, DMU’s vice chancellor, said: “We are devastated by 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 tragic 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.”
Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We are piecing together exactly what happened on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane, near DMU. One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and collapsed in the street. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died in hospital.”
“We are reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses. We also thank those who came to the victim’s aid. If you were one of them and have not yet spoken to police, please get in touch. Anyone who saw anything or captured footage on dashcam is urged to contact us.”
DI Granville added that local officers will carry out reassurance patrols in the area and that police are working to minimise disruption caused by road closures.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 495 of 3 February.
