A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the murder of a teenager who was fatally stabbed outside a school in Huddersfield.
A murder inquiry was launched after the 15-year-old boy, who was stabbed outside a school in Huddersfield, later died in hospital.
The attack happened at Woodhouse Hill at 2.45pm on Wednesday, close to the entrance of North Huddersfield Trust School.
A statement from West Yorkshire Police said on Thursday: “The youth was arrested at an address in Huddersfield shortly before 5am this morning in connection with the incident in Woodhouse Hill, Fartown, yesterday afternoon.
“He remains in custody and enquiries are ongoing led by detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team.”
The victim was treated at the scene and taken to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery.
A murder investigation is underway following the death of a 15-year-old boy who was stabbed in an incident in Huddersfield today.
— West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) September 21, 2022
At 2.54pm this afternoon, police were called to the incident in Woodhouse Hill, Fartown.https://t.co/UwKQI3R1uc
He was pronounced dead a short time later, and detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are leading an investigation into the murder.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes said that police have identified a number of witnesses to the incident.
“Our investigation is still at a very early stage, and we will be carrying out extensive enquiries 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.”
A police cordon blocking the pavement on a section of Woodhouse Hill was in place on Thursday morning, and floral tributes have been left at the scene.
In a statement posted on the North Huddersfield Trust School website, head Andrew 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.”
The statement said the school will not open until 10.30am and then only to students who need support.
Mr Fell added: “West Yorkshire Police have launched an urgent investigation, so it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time. I would urge everyone not to engage in speculation about possible causes or perpetrators and allow the police to make their enquiries. A statement has been released.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the pupil’s family and friends who must feel, as we do, completely devastated. They have lost a loved one and we have lost a wonderful student from our school community.”
Afiya Mahmood, 39, who lives opposite the school, told the PA news agency: “I work from home and my husband messaged me to say someone had been stabbed outside the school. It must have been about half-an-hour after the incident had happened.
“I hadn’t heard anything but I ran up to see what happened.
“I could see the boy from the window, and the paramedics working on the child. There was blood but they’ve washed it away now.
“There were a lot of paramedics, about 15 or 20, or that’s what it felt like anyway. Then they took him away.
“It’s very overwhelming, distressing. It’s shocking, it’s just a young boy isn’t it.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat quoting crime reference 13220521713.
