The teenage boy who was fatally stabbed outside school gates on Wednesday (September 21) has today been identified by police. Khayri McLean, 15, died after being attacked close to the entrance of North Huddersfield Trust School in Woodhouse Hill.
The incident, at around 2.45pm, sparked a huge emergency services presence in the area, where the teenager was treated before being taken to hospital in a 'critical condition'.
A 16-year-old boy remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder at an address in Huddersfield shortly before 5am on Thursday. Police said the attack is being treated as a targeted incident with specialist detectives continuing to conduct enquiries across the Huddersfield area.
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Chief Superintendent James Griffiths, District Commander of Kirklees Police, said: “We full realise the concern Wednesday’s murder has caused in communities, and I want to reassure residents everything possible is being done to investigate what took place.”
The mother of Khayri’s girlfriend said her daughter had described him as “the perfect boy”. Sherrin James, who left flowers at the scene on Thursday, said her daughter Shyana, 16, had been going out with him for around eight months.
The 35-year-old said the pair were “literally inseparable”, adding: “He was her first proper boyfriend. She absolutely adored him and he absolutely adored her. She said he was perfect.”
Khayri was treated at the scene and then taken to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery, police said, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. A GoFundMe page has been set up to give the teenager “the best send-off”.
Headteacher Andrew Fell said in a statement that NHTS had “lost a wonderful student from our school community”. Mr Fell said: “It is with enormous sadness that I must tell you that following an incident on Woodhouse Hill Road yesterday, one of our pupils has tragically lost their life.
“The pupil was taken by ambulance to hospital after the incident but despite the most valiant of efforts, medical staff were unable to save their life. This is truly shocking news for our pupils, your children and our staff. We will be providing specialist support for any among our community who feel they could benefit.”
Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes said police have identified a number of witnesses to the incident, adding: “Our investigation is still at a very early stage, and we will be carrying out extensive inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident that has resulted in the absolutely senseless loss of a young life,” he said.
“We recognise that an incident of this nature will cause understandable shock and concern in the community, and we are working closely alongside our colleagues at Kirklees District who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people and keep them updated as our investigation progresses.
“We have already identified a number of witnesses to the incident itself but would still like to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat, quoting crime reference 13220521713.
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