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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Damon Wilkinson & Ramazani Mwamba & Lyell Tweed

Tributes to 'amazing lad', 20, stabbed to death as four teens arrested on suspicion of murder

Tributes are being paid to a 20-year-old who was stabbed to death in Tameside on Friday night.

Dylan Keelan died after being attacked on Cheetham Hill Road in Dukinfield at about 9.30pm.

Four teenage boys, two aged 16 and two aged 17, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They remain in police custody for questioning.

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Dylan's cousin, Zo Wardle, told the Manchester Evening News: " Dylan was an absolutely amazing lad, he was polite and well mannered, caring, and funny. He had his whole life ahead of him."

A close friend told the M.E.N. he was attacked in a shop after a party.

She said: "He was a really nice lad, well known in the area."

Heartbroken friends have been paying tribute to Dylan on Facebook.

Keira Brown posted: "RIP Dylan Keelan.

"Such heartbreaking news! You were one of the most amazing people to walk this earth. Devastated."

Courtney Arrowsmith wrote: "Rip Dylan Keelan. Such a nice lad and so young.

"This world is cruel & the people living in it are worse. You didn’t deserve this."

Another wrote: "RIP Dylan Keelan, cruel, cruel world. Taken far too young."

On Saturday morning a police scene remained in place on Cheetham Hill Road and nearby residents spoke of their shock.

One residents said: "I kept seeing cars coming up and down this road, some were even reversing and then I got a call from my son saying there’s been a stabbing.

"It’s quite shocking. Especially in this area where most of the people who live here are elderly."

A resident who lives just off Cheetham Hill road, said: "It’s a shocker. You just don’t expect it on your door step.

"What are they carrying knives for?"

Another woman who lives just off Cheetham Hill Road said: "The police were here all night from about 9.30pm.

"It’s shocking. A life gone in an instant just like that."

Dylan is the third young man to be stabbed to death in Greater Manchester in recent weeks.

Kennie Carter, 16, died after being stabbed in Stretford on January 22, while the body of 17-year-old Alan Szelugowski was found in Clowes Park in Salford on January 30.

He had suffered a single stab wound.

Police are appealing for witnesses to Dylan's murder.

Det Supt Ian Crewe, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "Our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones - specialist officers are liaising with them and caring for them.

"We have four suspects in custody but our investigation is very much ongoing and I would appeal to anyone with information or dash cam footage from the main or surrounding roads at around 9.30pm last night to contact us.

"We have deployed extra officers to the area to support the investigation team and the community and I want members of the public to know that they can approach and talk to them.

"The force is working with partner agencies to fight, prevent and reduce knife crime so I'll also use this opportunity to encourage anyone who knows or suspects someone is carrying a weapon to report it before it's too late."

Anyone with information should contact police quoting 2866 04/02/22 via 0161 856 3400, gmp.police.uk or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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