A 16-year-old was detained on suspicion of murder following the stabbing death of a 15-year-old in Huddersfield.
North Huddersfield Trust School paid tribute to the 15-year-old victim in a note to parents and described the news as “very devastating for our students, your children, and our staff.” Andrew Fell, the school’s principal, stated, “We have lost a remarkable member of our student body.”
Police in West Yorkshire stated: “The teen was detained at a Huddersfield location just before 5 a.m. this morning in connection with the incident that occurred yesterday afternoon on Woodhouse Hill in Fartown.
He remains in detention as the West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team continues their investigation.
Wednesday at 1.54 p.m., emergency services were dispatched to the location following an assault near the entrance of North Huddersfield Trust School.
Shortly after receiving treatment at the scene and being transported to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery, the victim was pronounced dead.
The police confirmed that a murder probe was in progress.
The school paid tribute to the victim this morning, calling him a “great pupil.”
In a statement, Andrew Fell, the principal, said: “We extend our greatest condolences to the student’s family and friends, who must feel utterly crushed.
They have lost a loved one, and our school community has lost an exceptional kid.
Mr. Fell stated that it was with “extreme grief” that the school had to inform parents that “one of our students, unfortunately, passed away.”
This is extremely surprising news for our students, your children, and our employees.
People would have access to specialized assistance, he said, adding, “I would ask everyone not to speculate about probable causes or culprits and to allow police to conduct their investigations.”
The notification indicated that the school would not open until Thursday at 10.30 a.m., and then only to kids in need of assistance.
Afiya Mahmood, 39, who lives across the street from the school, reported that she was working from home when she received a message from her husband informing her of the attack.
She stated, “It must have been approximately thirty minutes after the incident occurred. Although I hadn’t heard anything, I ran up to see what had transpired.
“I could see the boy and the paramedics working on him through the window.”
She went on: “There were perhaps 15 to 20 paramedics, or at least it seemed that way. Then they removed him.
“It’s overwhelming and upsetting. It is terrible that it is only a small boy.”
This morning, a police cordon obstructing the sidewalk on a portion of Woodhouse Hill was in place.
Billy Shankland and his son, a seventh-grade student at the school, placed flowers at the scene.
He said: “As a parent of a child of the same age, I cannot fathom what this family is going through.
“He did not know the young man, but he had acquaintances who did. It is shocking.”
Lucy Smith, who lives close to the school, posted a poem she had written on the exterior railings.
She stated, “I believe we are all in disbelief; I have two kids of a similar age, and everyone with a family must be feeling startled and heartbroken.
It was really important for me to come here, when things like this occur, to do something to help us feel better when we are all feeling powerless in the face of violence and thinking about a family that must be coming apart today.
Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes, the chief investigator, stated: “Our investigation is still in its first stages, and we will conduct comprehensive inquiries to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this occurrence that led to the utterly tragic death of a young person.
“We are working closely with our colleagues at Kirklees District, who are strengthening their presence in the area, to reassure the community and keep them informed as our investigation continues.
We’ve already identified several witnesses to the incident itself, but we’re still interested in hearing from anyone with information that could aid the inquiry.
