The sister of a 15-year-old boy who died after being stabbed at a Sheffield school has said her “heart is broken into a million pieces” as police continue to question a teenage suspect.
The victim, named in reports as Harvey Willgoose, was attacked at All Saints Catholic High School in Granville Road in the city at about 12.17pm on Monday.
South Yorkshire Police said a 15-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder remains in custody.
Paying tribute to her brother, Sophie Willgoose posted on Facebook: “My heart is broken into a million pieces. I love you so much Harvey.
“Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight cos I wish I could.”
Tributes poured in at the scene and on social media on Monday, with flowers, candles and balloons laid on a wall outside the school.
Meanwhile, a section inside one of the school buildings remained taped off.
A student at All Saints Catholic High School who came to stand outside the school to pay tribute said it was “such a shock” to hear what had happened.
The 17-year-old said: “He was such a lovely lad, he was cheeky, but was lovely.
“He would make your day better hearing him down that hallway. You didn’t have to personally know him to be upset.
“Teachers loved him, students loved him, everyone loved him.
“I’ve been at the school for seven years now and nothing like this has ever, ever happened.”
The teenager described the moment the “lockdown alarm” went off, the doors were locked and the blinds were closed by teachers, which he said was “crazy”.
Paying tribute to her son, Harvey’s grieving mother Caroline Willgoose, displayed childhood photos of her son on Facebook on Monday night, as friends and relatives tried to console her with heartfelt messages, the MailOnline reported.
A neighbour told the newspaper: “Harvey and his dad were huge Sheffield United fans. It is just too awful for words.”
It is understood that this was the second time All Saints Catholic High School had gone into lockdown in a week, the PA News Agency reported.
Headteacher Sean Pender sent a message to parents on January 29, saying: "The reason for the lockdown was due to threatening behaviour between a small number of students where threats were made of physical violence."
A note left with flowers outside the school paid tribute to the boy, calling him the “life of the party” with a “bubbly personality”.
“You’ll be missed by many. You beautiful boy. Forever 15,” the note read.
Social media tributes have flooded in for the teenager, with one friend describing how Harvey was “an amazing lad” who had been a “victim of bullying”.
They wrote: “He was threatened with a knife at the school last week. It's heartbreaking. Harvey was one in a million. He had his whole life ahead of him.
“It's a tragedy beyond words. He had a lot of friends, was a huge Sheffield United fan. He loved football.
“He lived a peaceful life. He was being bullied though.”
Others mourning the boy’s death gathered outside Sheffield United’s stadium in Bramall Lane.
A 17-year-old, who studies at a local college, heard the news through friends and said the boy who died was a fan of Sheffield United.
He said: “I’m a bit upset to be honest, it came as such a shock.
“He seemed quite a happy guy and a nice guy to be around.”
Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield told a news conference on Monday afternoon: “We know that what has happened will cause significant distress and concern.
“I would like to reassure you that our officers will remain on scene and in the local area to offer reassurance to parents, staff and local residents as our investigation continues.
“Although we are in the early stages of our inquiries, we are working at pace to build a full picture of how this tragedy has unfolded.
“We urge you to be mindful that there are loved ones at the centre of this and they are grieving the profound loss of a teenage boy in the most devastating of circumstances.
“We would therefore ask you to avoid speculation and the sharing of online content which could be distressing to them and detrimental to our investigation.”
Police continued to urge people to avoid the area and said Granville Road remains closed from the tram stop to Fitzwalter Road.
Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Brussels at a dinner with EU leaders, said his “heart goes out” to the family of the victim.
In a statement, the Prime Minister said: “It is horrific and senseless news that a boy has died after a stabbing in Sheffield.
“Our schools should be places of safety and learning, not violence and fear. My Government is absolutely committed to tackling knife crime so young people are safe on our streets and in our schools.
“Tonight a young boy should be returning to the love and safety of his family.
“We stand and work together against the devastating consequences of knife crime, so no more families know this tragic loss.”
Police ask anyone with information which could assist their investigation to call 101 quoting incident number 327 of February 3 2025.
