A teenage boy was stabbed to death in a "targeted" attack as police search for four masked suspects.
The 17-year-old died in the incident in Easton Road, High Wycombe, at around 7pm on Sunday.
Another youth, also 17, was also hurt in Sunday’s attack but his injuries are not currently thought to be life-threatening.
Police investigating the tragedy have called on people with any information or CCTV footage to contact authorities.
Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown of Thames Valley Police, said: “This is a tragic incident in which a teenage boy has been killed, and I know it will cause a great deal of concern in the community.
“However, I’d like to reassure everyone we are carrying out a thorough investigation into what appears to be a targeted attack.
"We are in the very early stages of this investigation and details as to what has happened are currently very limited.
“The incident occurred between around 7pm and 7.30 pm close to the main car parks of Easton Street at a time when members of the public would have been using the car parks, attending the theatre or preparing for a night out in the town.
“It is therefore very important that anyone who was close to Easton Street at this time and saw something unusual or out of the ordinary or indeed knows anything about this incident gets in touch as soon as possible.
"Anyone who has any information or footage from dash-cams, doorbells or CCTV close to Easton Street is urged to make contact.
"If you have any information or footage which you think could help our investigation, please call us on 101, quoting reference number 43230199275.
"Alternatively, you can make a report online, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
One witness said he had heard the 17-year-old had been chased by the mask-wearing gang members.
He added: "Apparently the boy was being pursued by a gang of men.
"He ran from the back of the church, across Easton Street and down Kings Court alleyway to the back of his home, where he fell to the ground.
"The police put up two forensic tents over the spot where he fell. There were also yellow evidence triangles which I have heard may have marked spots of blood, indicating he had been knifed in the alleyway and then fell to the ground.
"It is such a tragedy - such a waste of a young life with so much ahead for him he won't now experience."
