A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a Zimbabwean man was fatally stabbed in his flat in Middleton Leeds. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, with the victim, 23-year-old Friends Saymore, being declared dead in the hospital shortly after the attack.
The police investigation began after reports of a violent altercation inside the victim’s ground-floor apartment in the Belle Isle area of Leeds. According to West Yorkshire Police, the suspects, a 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man, fled the scene following the attack. The police launched an extensive search for the individuals, utilizing a helicopter to track their movements, and eventually located the pair in the Middleton area of Leeds.
Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of murder and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, a charge related to the recovery of drugs found at multiple locations tied to the incident. Friends Saymore, originally from Zimbabwe, was found injured inside his flat on Winrose Avenue after emergency services were called to the scene shortly after midnight. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Police have confirmed that forensic teams are examining the scene at Winrose Avenue, and further investigations have been carried out at a property in Sissons Road, Middleton Leeds, where drugs linked to the suspects’ activities were recovered. Detectives from West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have now taken over the investigation. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, spoke publicly about the case, expressing the team’s commitment to uncovering the circumstances surrounding Saymore’s tragic death.
He described the incident as a “terrible and violent act,” emphasizing the profound impact it has had on the victim’s family. “Our investigation remains in its very early stages, and we are still building up a picture of the circumstances in which this young man has been fatally attacked,” said DCI Entwistle. “His death, in such a sudden and violent way, is an absolute tragedy, and we will be continuing to support his family at what is a very difficult time for them while working to get them the answers they need.”
The police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Specifically, they are calling for witnesses who may have seen a disturbance or anything suspicious in the area surrounding the victim’s address at any point before the emergency services were called. Detectives are also conducting house-to-house inquiries and have asked residents to check their CCTV, doorbell footage, or dashcam recordings for anything that could help piece together the events leading up to the fatal stabbing.
“We recognize that people in the community will be shocked by what has happened,” DCI Entwistle continued, “and I want to reassure them that we are treating this incident very seriously and liaising closely with our district policing colleagues who will be maintaining an increased presence in the area.”
The murder of Friends Saymore has shocked the local community, and many are grappling with the news of such a violent and senseless crime. Residents in Belle Isle and Middleton have expressed concern over the increase in violent incidents in Leed, with many questioning what steps can be taken to reduce such crimes.
Local authorities have pledged to offer support to the victim’s family during this difficult time, while the police continue their efforts to gather more evidence and information to help bring those responsible for Saymore’s death to justice. As the investigation unfolds, the police have asked anyone with relevant information to contact them, as they continue to work tirelessly to bring closure to the grieving family and the wider community affected by the loss of a young man in such tragic circumstances.
In other news – Armed robber fatally shot after attempted fuel service station heist in Kadoma – VIDEO
A failed armed robbery attempt at Spencer Fuel Service Station in Kadoma on Tuesday morning resulted in one robber being fatally shot after a quick response from security guards. The incident unfolded at approximately 3 a.m., when two individuals, armed with machetes, attempted to break into the fuel service station to commit a robbery.
According to sources close to the investigation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the two robbers arrived at the Spencer Fuel Service Station in the early hours of the morning. Armed with machetes, they reportedly tried to force their way onto the premises, seeking to rob the business. Read More
