TRIBUTES have flooded in after a 16-year-old boy was killed and four others were injured in a stabbing attack.
Ashraf Habimana suffered multiple stab wounds in Luton, Bedfordshire, at around 7pm on Friday.
GofundmeTributes have flooded in after Ashraf Habimana, 16, died in Luton[/caption]
sbna_fairleysToday an area close to the Old Moat House Pub was cordoned off[/caption]
Ashraf was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Today police cordoned off an area close to the Old Moat House Pub in Nunnery Lane while forensic officers worked at the scene.
More than 20 bunches of flowers were left, with one carrying a card which read: “Rest in eternal peace Ashraf. Safe in the knowledge you are loved.”
Another note said: “Gone but never forgotten.”
Ashraf’s father, who did not give his name, attended the scene today and said: “It is terrible. He is just a boy. He was only 16.
“I heard last night and came down from Yorkshire. We don’t know what happened.
“He was at the college in Luton doing A-levels. He had his future ahead of him.”
Community group Luton, Keeping Safe posted a tribute to Ashraf on Facebook.
It read: “So so sad a young life has been taken away.
“Our thoughts & prayers are with all the victims and their families who have lost their loved ones to gun & knife crime.
“Enough is enough, how many more mothers are going to mourn?”
A second teenager who was injured in the attack is being treated in hospital for potentially life-threatening injuries.
A third victim suffered serious injuries, though these are not being treated as life-threatening.
Police have arrested three teenage boys on suspicion of murder and are questioning them.
Three hours earlier at 4pm, officers were called to reports that two people were stabbed in Sundon Park Road, less than a mile away.
One teenager received life-threatening injuries and a second received serious, but non life-threatening injuries. Both are being treated in hospital.
One man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is in police custody for questioning.
An alleyway between Sundon Park Road and Moira Close was cordoned off by the police.
Forensic officers in white suits were carrying out an examination of the scene and were taking photographs.
The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit have launched a murder investigation and say they are currently treating both incidents as connected.
Detective Inspector Lee Martin said: “Appalling violence in Luton cost a teenage boy his life yesterday and left two others in life-threatening conditions.
“Incidents such as these have a significant impact on our residents.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with the loved ones of the boy who lost his life in such tragic and awful circumstances.
“We are doing everything we can to prevent any further incidents and we want to reassure the wider community that officers are pursuing all lines of enquiry as well as carrying out increased patrols in the area.
“Knife crime and violence has no place in our society – but it is a problem we must tackle together, alongside our communities, to challenge attitudes about carrying knives and provide opportunities to ensure our young people can feel safe.
“Both incidents happened in busy areas with several people present.
“If you witnessed any of these incidents, or if you have any video footage or images, then please get in touch.”
w8mediaAn alleyway between Sundon Park Road and Moira Close was cordoned off[/caption]
sbna_fairleysMore than 20 bunches of flowers were left[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
