A “young black” De Montfort University student has died after being attacked on Oxford Street in Leicester. The university’s vice-chancellor said the community is “devastated” as police arrested a man on suspicion of murder.

The fatal stabbing took place just a few hundred metres from the De Montfort University (DMU) campus, which is located in the city centre. Police were alerted to the tragedy shortly after 5pm on Tuesday, following reports of a man in his 20s collapsing in what is effectively part of the surrounding area of the university.

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Several witnesses claimed to have seen the incident unfold, including a “confrontation” between the victim and another man. Meanwhile, Tye Crofton, 19, an employee at De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre, reported hearing a scream before seeing the victim on the ground. Crofton stated:

“[At] about five minutes to 5pm… I heard a scream…As I exited from the doors over there to my right, there was a young man, a young black man lying on the floor… surrounded by about 12 to 17 bystanders, some of which had covered him in their coats.”

Crofton also noted that university campus security arrived with a defibrillator before an ambulance turned up, while another anonymous student reported seeing CPR efforts being made on the victim. East Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed it received the emergency call at 5.03pm and quickly dispatched an ambulance car, three ambulance vehicles and an air ambulance responder to the scene, which was quickly assessed to be “very serious”.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Lorna Granville of Leicestershire Police confirmed that the student was rushed by medics to Leicester Royal Infirmary but unfortunately died shortly afterwards. She said:

“We are currently piecing together exactly what has occurred on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane between, what is reported, as two men involved in a confrontation. One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street. Despite the best efforts of medical staff he died in hospital. CCTV in the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist with our investigation.”

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Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews offered his sympathies and appealed to the public for help, stating:

“I urge anyone with information that may help the inquiry to come forward, and of course, they can speak to local officers about any concerns they may have.”

Matthews also noted that safety protocols were in place to keep university students safe during these troubling times. He added:

“Local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols.”

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University vice-chancellor Professor Katie Normington, who joined the institution as both Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive in 2021, stated:

“We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.”

She added:

“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim.”

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While the investigation remains at an early stage and is ongoing, police believe, based on their enquiries so far, that the victim was involved in a street altercation with the assailant, who fled the scene before officers arrived. An 18-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody, according to Leicestershire Police.