A Leeds resident has spoken of his friend’s horror after he attempted to stem the blood flow with tea towels as he treated a stab victim. There was “blood everywhere” and the “minutes felt like hours” as he waited for paramedics to arrive at the scene, the resident said.
A pair of teenagers were attacked in a taxi near Hall Lane and Brentwood Terrace, Armley, yesterday (March 31) just before 5.29pm. The pair, aged 18 and 16, were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Sadly, the 18-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later.
The other victim's injuries were not deemed to be life-threatening. West Yorkshire Police have launched a murder investigation and have said three suspects in another vehicle were responsible for the “violent attack”.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the murder investigation here
A resident who lives very close to the crime scene, Dave Richmond has spoken about how his friend was caught up in the middle of the “traumatising” incident.
Dave said: “My mate owns a shop and the kid ran in screaming. The shop was full of people.
"He saw all the blood and saw that he’s been stabbed in his arm, stomach and leg. There were customers in the shop and they were all like ‘What’s going on?!’
“He got his tea towels to stem the flow of blood and tried to keep him talking. He said what felt like hours was only minutes until the paramedics turned up.
“They didn’t let him go until 8pm but he wanted to get back in to clean the shop up. There was blood everywhere, he said. He was traumatised. He couldn’t believe the amount of blood that was there.”
His wife Michelle said: “It’s scary and frightening. I used to leave my door unlocked but not anymore. I’ve got grandkids at that age!”
Another resident Ann, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said: “It’s awful, I’m in total shock. I’ve never heard of anything like that happening before. This is a bit too close to home. I’m appalled.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lee Townley of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team said: "Extensive enquiries are being carried out in relation to this murder investigation, our thoughts remain with the victim who has lost his life as a result of a violent attack on the streets of Leeds. We are working to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
“What we do know is that the two males were in a taxi at the time when they were attacked by three suspects in another vehicle. I would appeal urgently to anyone who was in the area last night, who may have dashcam footage, or CCTV or mobile phone footage of anything suspicious to come forward."
DCI Townley added: “This incident will undoubtedly cause concern in the community and we are working with our colleagues in the Neighbourhood Policing team to step up patrols and provide extra reassurance.”
Cordons are currently in place in the area with crime scene investigators in attendance. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or use the live chat facility here , quoting log number 1331 of March 31. Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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