23 March 2023 , 19:14
1208
0
The first pictures of a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death while he was reportedly walking home from school have been released.
Tributes poured in today for local teenager Rohan Shand, known as 'Fred' to his friends and family, who died following an incident near Kingsthorpe College in Northampton on Wednesday.
Four males aged 49, 21, 16 and 14, remained in custody today after being arrested in connection with the incident yesterday evening.
A number of floral tributes could be seen dotted around the Kingsthorpe area amid an elevated police presence. Formal identification will begin tomorrow, Northamptonshire Police said.
It comes as one touching photograph posted online shows Fred stood in his uniform ready for school, while another shared on social media features a younger Freddie stood in a living room.
Gangsters ‘call for ceasefire’ after deadly Christmas Eve pub shooting
A JustGiving page set up by Shania Coleman to give the schoolboy the "send off he deserves" has already raised £5,762 of its £6,000 goal, with him described as a "polite and caring young man" who would have "gone on to do such great things".
A JustGiving page set up to give the schoolboy the 'send off he deserves' has already raised £5,762 of its £6,000 goal (Facebook)
One tribute described Fred as a 'polite and caring young man' (Facebook)Saying the money would help to take some pressure off of Fred‘s father Rohan Shand, she adds: "Fred was loved by so many people."
Fellow pupils and members of the local community have also shared dozens of messages of condolence on the page, with many expressing their shock at the loss of a young life.
One wrote "Absolutely heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with family and friends at such a sad time", while another said: "Words are not enough. God Bless you young man. Thoughts and prayers to all your family."
A comment posted by someone who knew Fred said: "You're gonna be missed Fred. You were and amazing older and younger to us all. Hope you have the send off you deserve. Fly high bro."
Floral tributes could be seen around the area amid an elevated police presence (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)Kingsthorpe College, which is just yards away from where the incident occurred outside the Cock Hotel on Harborough Road, will remain closed for a second day on Friday apart from Year 11 pupils.
A notice on the secondary school's website reads: “On Friday, March 24, 2023, school will be open to Year 11 students only. Students are to attend school at 11am where they will follow a programme and support will be available. Students will leave the site at 1.15pm.
"All other year groups will have an online learning menu to access.”
A police investigation into the incident continues. The force have asked people to "refrain from sharing insensitive posts and images on social media" which are likely to cause additional distress to the family.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, said: “This is an exceptionally sad and tragic incident, and can have an enormous impact on the neighbourhood and wider community.
Four human skulls wrapped in tin foil found in package going from Mexico to US
“The victim’s family is being supported by specially trained officers, and our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time as we continue to work closely with the local community to gather information and provide reassurance.
Four males aged 49, 21, 16 and 14, remained in custody after being arrested in connection with the incident on Wednesday (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)“Whilst we do believe that this was an isolated incident, we know people are very shocked and upset by what has happened. Our officers will continue to carry out reassurance patrols in the Kingsthorpe area and anyone with any concerns is encouraged to speak to them as they will be happy to help.
He added that anyone with information should "get in touch as soon as possible if they have not already done so".
"Any little detail may assist the investigation team and we would rather be given well-meaning information that comes to nothing, than it not be given it at all.”
A Northamptonshire Police appeal asks anyone with information, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell, or dash-cam footage of the area at the time, to call Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 23000174855.
Information can alternatively be submitted via the force's online portal or by calling Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.