Murder arrest after student stabbed near campus

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a student who was fatally stabbed near a university campus in Leicester.

Officers were called to reports a man had collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, just after 17:00 GMT on Tuesday.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary but died a short time later, Leicestershire Police said.

Prof Katie Normington, vice-chancellor of De Montfort University (DMU), said she was "devastated by the tragic death of one of our students".

Normington added: "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."

Police said it believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street who left the scene.

Officers will be carrying out inquiries in the area and have appealed for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

Tye Crofton, a 19-year-old software engineer, said they saw the immediate aftermath of the incident unfold.

They said they heard a scream not long before they finished work - but "didn't think too much of it at the time".

"Two or three minutes past five, as I exited the door, I saw a man lying on the ground covered with coats by around 12 or 17 bystanders," they said.

Crofton said a person, who they believed was a member of the public, began performing CPR on the man.

"I didn't really know to react initially," they added.

"There was someone else there that had phones up to each ear, and I assumed that they were already on the phone to emergency services."

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, what is reported, as two men 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.

"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."

In a statement, DMU's Students' Union student voice leaders said: "At a university like ours, our community is held together by our bonds with one another, and nothing brings that into sharper focus than when something so devastating happens.

"We know this will be unsettling for many students, and we want to reassure you that the university, the students' union, and your student voice leaders are here to support you."

Several roads were closed after the stabbing including Infirmary Road, Oxford Street, Infirmary Square, Carlton Street, York Road, Lower Brown Street, The Gateway and Gosling Street.

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