A murder investigation is underway after a student was stabbed near Leicester’s De Montfort University yesterday evening.
Police were called shortly after 5pm on Tuesday 3 February following reports that a man in his 20s had collapsed on Oxford Street, close to 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
Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team are leading the investigation, working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and speaking with witnesses who were in the area at the time. 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, who left the scene before police arrived. A scene preservation remains in place while forensic and search teams examine the area.
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 currently piecing together exactly what happened on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane. 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 want to thank those who came to the aid of the victim. 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 also urged to contact us.”
DI Granville added that local officers will carry out reassurance patrols in the area, and the police are working to minimise disruption caused by road closures.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote incident number 495 of 3 February.
