18-Year-Old Stabs and Kills De Montfort University Student in Leicester City Centre

A De Montfort University student in his 20s was fatally stabbed in Leicester city centre on the evening of Tuesday 3 February.

“De Montfort University student stabbed to death in Leicester with 18-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder Police responded to a report that a man in his 20s had collapsed in Oxford Street, Leicester, on Tuesday evening”

BBC

Emergency services were called shortly after 5pm to Oxford Street near the junction with Bonners Lane.

BBC

The victim was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary and died shortly afterwards.

Police have launched a murder investigation and an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

Multiple outlets report the scene was by the DMU campus and that staff and students have been offered support.

Leicestershire Police declared a major incident and said officers believe the stabbing followed an altercation between two men, with one man leaving the scene before police arrived.

Forensics teams conducted searches at the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane, while CCTV is being reviewed and witness appeals have been issued.

Daily Express

The East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team is reported to be leading inquiries, and officers asked the public to hand in mobile phone or dashcam footage that might help the investigation.

Bystanders and campus staff immediately attempted lifesaving measures, with witnesses and passersby performing CPR and campus security using a defibrillator before emergency crews arrived.

“ByCLAIRE DUFFIN, SENIOR REPORTERandANDY DOLAN, GENERAL REPORTER Published:16:28 GMT, 4 February 2026|Updated:17:15 GMT, 4 February 2026 Police were under pressure today to explain why it took more than 18 hours to release any information about the fatal stabbing of a university student”

Daily Mail

The patient was taken to hospital by the East Midlands Ambulance Service, but several reports say the victim later died despite treatment.

Witness accounts published by local and national outlets describe screams and people gathering around the injured man as police and forensic teams worked.

De Montfort University confirmed the deceased was one of its students and said it was offering support to students, staff and the victim's family.

The university's vice-chancellor said the community was devastated.

Daily Star

Local politicians and campus figures expressed shock and condolence, while some local officials criticised police communications for a perceived delay in releasing information.

Several local and tabloid outlets reported the incident has left many students and residents feeling unsafe.

Roads around the DMU campus and the Royal Infirmary were closed to preserve the scene.

“Leicester was left reeling this week after a fatal stabbing near De Montfort University claimed the life of a student in his 20s, sparking a major police investigation and outpourings of shock and grief across the city”

Evrim Ağacı

The closures caused disruption to city-centre traffic and hospital access.

Evrim Ağacı

Police have appealed for witnesses, CCTV and dashcam footage.

Investigative teams searched bins and bushes near the scene as forensics worked.

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville is reported to be leading the inquiry.

Officers thanked members of the public who assisted the victim.

They urged anyone with information to contact police.

Some details — including the victim’s exact age and motive — remain unclear in the available reporting.