LIVE updates: Murder probe in Leicester as De Montfort University student dies in stabbing
Major incident in Leicester as 18-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder
A murder investigation has launched in Leicester after a De Montfort University student died in a suspected stabbing
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The man was stabbed close to the city centre in Oxford Street at around 5pm on Tuesday, with Leicestershire Police declaring a a major incident.
An 18-year-old man has now been arrested, police confirmed.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement: "A murder investigation is underway after a man is believed to have been stabbed close to Leicester city centre.
"Police have confirmed it was not a mass stabbing following speculation online."
East Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called to the scene shortly after 5pm on Tuesday and it had transported one patient to Leicester Royal Infirmary.
De Montfort University said it is "offering direct support to students and staff who witnessed the incident".
Leicestershire police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific, and shocking, incident.
“A young man’s life has been unnecessarily cut short, and that is a tragedy.
“I know that the police are working tirelessly to bring the person, or persons, responsible to justice."
This is a breaking incident, follow our live update blog below.
Police commissioner calls stabbing a 'tragedy' after young man's life 'unnecessarily cut short'
Rupert Matthews has described the death of a man in his 20s a as a "tragedy" after the victim was stabbed during a confrontation.
The police commissioner said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific, and shocking, incident," he said.
“A young man’s life has been unnecessarily cut short, and that is a tragedy.
“I know that the police are working tirelessly to bring the person, or persons, responsible to justice.
“I have been kept fully briefed by the Chief Constable, and I am aware that an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
“In addition, local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols.
“I urge anyone with information that may help the enquiry to come forward, and of course, they can speak to local officers about any concerns they may have.”
'There was a scream before I saw a man on the floor'
Tye Crofton, 19, who works in De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre, said they heard a scream before seeing the man on the floor.
They said: “I was just about finishing work about five minutes to 5pm (…) and then I heard a scream.
“As I exited from the doors over there to my right, there was a young man, a young black man lying on the floor… surrounded by about 12 to 17 bystanders, some of which had covered him in their coats.”
They said the university campus security arrived with a defibrillator before an ambulance came.
They added: “It might have been a student because we are on a university campus, it did happen about 5pm and everyone was getting off work, so there was a bunch of people around.
“There was someone else there that had two phones up to each ear and then talking into them, and I assumed that they were already in contact with EMAS (East Midlands Ambulance Service).
“The person who was on two phones, a girl, she seemed quite emotional about it, but I don’t know if she was a friend or just someone who’d witnessed it.”
Man who died was a student at De Montfort University
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.”
Leicestershire PCC shares 'thoughts' after 'shocking' incident
Reacting to news of the stabbing, Leicestershire police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific, and shocking, incident.
“A young man’s life has been unnecessarily cut short, and that is a tragedy.
“I know that the police are working tirelessly to bring the person, or persons, responsible to justice.
“I have been kept fully briefed by the Chief Constable, and I am aware that an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
“In addition, local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols.
“I urge anyone with information that may help the enquiry to come forward, and of course, they can speak to local officers about any concerns they may have.”
Live from the scene: LBC reporter George Icke has the latest
Councillors 'very concerned and worried'
Councillor Liz Sahu, speaking on behalf of fellow Castle ward councillors Patrick Kitterick and Mick Gregg, said: “Local councillors are very concerned and worried to read about the ‘serious incident’ that occurred at DMU last night.
“I hope and pray that everyone is safe. I believe the university is offering support to its staff and students.
“We will seek to discuss this incident and other worrying incidents that have recently occurred in our city with the police.”
Two men involved in a confrontation and one died following stabbing, police say
Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, Senior Investigating Officer, said police are still piecing together exactly what happened, which is so far being reported as two men being 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," she said.
She added: “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.”
Man, 18, arrested on suspicion of murder after one person stabbed
A murder investigation is underway after a man is believed to have been stabbed close to Leicester city centre, police confirmed.
Leicestershire Police added in a statement: "The incident happened around 5pm in Oxford Street.
"An 18-year-old man has been arrested."
'This was not a mass stabbing', police say
Leicestershire Police have confirmed that the incident at the De Montfort University campus was not "mass stabbing".
It comes after a member of the public speculated about the nature of the incident.
"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," the force wrote.