The Manchester Metroplitan University student at the centre of a murder investigation in Fallowfield has been named as Luke O'Connor. He was stabbed to death on Wilmslow Road as he returned home from a party in a random attack.
Police attended the scene on Wilmslow Road at around 2am on Wednesday morning (October 26). They gave the teenager CPR. He was taken to hospital, where he later sadly died. A knife was recovered from the scene.
Today (Thursday) his loved ones paid tribute a 'bubbly, lively, beautiful boy' as police continued to hunt his killer. No arrests have been made.
Paying tribute to him, Luke’s family 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 with go on forever.”
A MMU spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Greaater Manchester Police has informed us that one of our students died in an incident in Fallowfield in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
"Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this difficult time. We will be contacting them to offer our help and support. This will be a terrible shock to our whole community and we will be arranging for professionally trained counselling staff to support any students and staff who are affected by the incident. We cannot offer further comment at this time.”
The Manchester Evening News understands the young man was attacked by someone he did not know while on his way home from a house party. Police cordoned off Wilmslow Road between the junction with Mabfield Road and Wilbraham Road at around 2am, which remained in place until yesterday evening (October 26).
Cordons were also in place on Furness Road and Cawdor Road for much of the day, where neighbours reported hearing 'screams'. Many students reacted with fear and sadness over a killing that has shaken their community.
Detective Superintendent Neil Jones of Greater Manchester Police South Manchester Division said: "I know that people in Manchester will be shocked and concerned by this incident. I share this concern and assure you that there is a dedicated team of specialist officers in the area who are investigating at pace to find the person responsible.
"Local officers will be patrolling the areas and I urge anyone with information or concerns to speak to those officers who are on hand to help and support you."
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