Key Highlights
Tragedy Strikes De Montfort University Campus
A 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a student who was fatally stabbed near the De Montfort University (DMU) campus in Leicester. The incident occurred just two days ago, leaving the university community reeling from the loss.
Initial Incident and Response
On Tuesday evening, at around 17:00 GMT, a report came to police that a man in his 20s had collapsed on Oxford Street, near the junction with Bonners Lane. Officers swiftly responded to the scene where they found the victim, later identified as a student from DMU, unresponsive and taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary.
University’s Response
Prof Katie Normington, vice-chancellor of De Montfort University, expressed her deep sorrow over the incident. “Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened,” she said in a statement. The university is actively providing support to students and staff while working closely with Leicestershire Police.
“We will continue to liaise with the police as they investigate this tragic incident, and we want to reassure our community that DMU remains committed to supporting those affected by this event.”
Investigation Details
Preliminary reports suggest that the victim was involved in an altercation with another man on the street. The suspect is believed to have left the scene after the confrontation. Police are reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to potential witnesses, including Tye Crofton, a 19-year-old software engineer who witnessed part of the incident.
Crofton described the immediate aftermath: “I heard a scream not long before I finished work but didn’t think too much of it at the time. When I left work, I saw a man lying on the ground covered with coats by around 12 or 17 bystanders.”
Community Impact and Ongoing Support
The stabbing has prompted temporary closures in several roads around the university campus to facilitate investigations. Det Insp Lorna Granville, senior investigating officer, said: “We are currently piecing together exactly what has occurred on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane between two men involved in a confrontation.”
Leicester Media Online reports that the incident is still under investigation, with extra patrols planned for the area over the coming days. The university’s student voice leaders also issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to supporting those affected by this tragic event.
The DMU community has been left in shock and disbelief, as this kind of violence is rare on campus grounds. “At a university like ours, our community is held together by our bonds with one another,” said a statement from the student voice leaders. “Nothing brings that into sharper focus than when something so devastating happens.”
The stabbing has sent ripples through the local community and beyond, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by students and staff in urban environments.
