A 19-year-old Liverpool FC fan was stabbed to death while walking home from a party.
Luke O’Connor died in hospital as a result of his injuries, after he was fatally stabbed on Wilmslow Road in Fallowfield in Manchester at around 2am on Wednesday, October 26. He was given CPR by officers who were flagged down by eyewitnesses.
The Manchester Evening News understands the student, who was a "religious LFC fan", was on his way home from a party when police believe he came across his alleged attacker. The two did not know each other.
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Luke's devastated family have paid tribute to their "bubbly, lively and beautiful boy".
They said: "Our hearts yearn for the loss of Luke; we are truly devastated by this tragedy. Luke was loved by so many people, and he knew how much he was loved in return.
"He was a second year Business Management student at university. He loved the freedom of student living and studying and was loving life in Manchester.
"Luke was the youngest of three boys in our family and was a gentle giant with big hopes and dreams for the future. His biggest dream was to travel the world, but now Luke will never be able to fulfil that dream.
"Luke loved music, football and was a big supporter of Liverpool Football Club, who he followed religiously from a young age. He had a profound impact on so many people throughout his life.
"He was truly one of a kind, who’s presence would light up any room. Luke’s friends also adored him, as he adored them.
"They often called Luke a "Legend" and "the life and soul" of everything he did. Everyone who met him, truly loved him. Our lively, bubbly, beautiful boy has been taken from us and our family are now left with a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.
"Justice needs to be served as we have lost our beautiful young Luke, who was robbed of life. We will continue to honour his name for as long as we are all here, and his legacy will go on forever.”
Detective Superintendent Neil Jones of Greater Manchester Police South Manchester Division said: "This was a terrible crime which has robbed a young man of his life and my thoughts are with his family at this devastating time. I understand it will cause distress and concern to many in Fallowfield and across Manchester more widely, including our large student community.
"The investigation is in its early stages, but I can assure you that our officers are working round the clock and carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident. We are actively pursuing leads and will relentlessly pursue the offender to ensure they are brought to justice.
"There will be more officers out on the streets in Fallowfield and the surrounding area over the coming days conducting high visibility and plain clothes patrols to gather intelligence and reassure the community. Greater Manchester Police operates a Student Safe Operation with our partners on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights where our officers patrol the student areas at night, and these efforts will ramp up and be given extra resources.
"I hope this goes someway to reassure the community and if anyone has any information about this incident or has any concerns, I urge you to speak to these officers. They are there to help and support you."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via gmp.police.uk or 101 quoting, 240 26/10/22. Information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity - Crimestoppers - on 0800 555 111.
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