A 15-year-old boy stabbed to death outside his school in Huddersfield has been named locally as Khayri McLean.
On Wednesday night, West Yorkshire Police launched a murder inquiry when the teenager died hours after being attacked close to the entrance of North Huddersfield Trust School (NHTS).
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder at around 5am on Thursday, when police attended an address in Huddersfield.
A spokesman for the force said: “He remains in custody and inquiries are ongoing, led by detectives from West Yorkshire Police homicide and major enquiry team.”
It is believed the schoolboy was attacked at around 2.45pm. After receiving first aid at the scene he was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Visiting the scene of the attack on Thursday, the mother of the victim’s girlfriend said her daughter had described him as “the perfect boy”.
Leaving flowers at the scene, Sherrin James, said her 16-year-old daughter, Shyana, had been seeing Khayri for around eight months. The 35-year-old said the pair were “literally inseparable”, adding: “He was her first proper boyfriend. She absolutely adored him and he absolutely adored her.”
Shyana has also launched a Go Fund Me page to raise money for his family.
Andrew Fell, the NHTS headteacher, said the school had “lost a wonderful student from our school community”.
In a statement he said: “This is truly shocking news for our pupils, your children and our staff. We will be providing specialist support for any among our community who feel they could benefit.”
“West Yorkshire Police have launched an urgent investigation, so it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time. I would urge everyone not to engage in speculation about possible causes or perpetrators and allow the police to make their inquiries. A statement has been released.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the pupil’s family and friends who must feel, as we do, completely devastated. They have lost a loved one and we have lost a wonderful student from our school community.”
Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes, the senior investigating officer, said police had identified a number of witnesses to the incident.
“Our investigation is still at a very early stage, and we will be carrying out extensive inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident that has resulted in the absolutely senseless loss of a young life,” he added.
“We recognise that an incident of this nature will cause understandable shock and concern in the community, and we are working closely alongside our colleagues at Kirklees District who are increasing their presence in the area to reassure people and keep them updated as our investigation progresses.
“We have already identified a number of witnesses to the incident itself but would still like to hear from anyone who has any information that could assist the investigation.”
