An 18-year-old who was stabbed to death in the Midlands has been named locally as Noah Smedley. Police have launched a probe into the suspected murder, which took place at the weekend.
Officers were called to Heanor Road, Ilkeston, Derby, at 8.20pm on Saturday, December 28. It followed reports of a stabbing in the area.
Derbyshire Police said an 18-year-old was stabbed in Rose Avenue and later died in Heanor Road just before 9pm. Officers have since made seven arrests – including a 17-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder.
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A 52-year-old man, 15-year-old girl, 16-year-old girl, and another 17-year-old boy were also arrested. They were detained on suspicion of assisting an offender, DerbyshireLive reports.
Several people have since named Noah on social media as the alleged victim. They also shared Derbyshire Police’s appeals for information on the stabbing, along with their own tributes.
One friend wrote on Facebook: “Fly high – gone way too soon. Loved and missed by everyone. My heart goes out to your family. RIP Noah Smedley.”
Another wrote: “Rest in peace Noah Smedley. Gone too soon, you’ll be missed by everyone, funniest person I knew.” A third added: “Noah Smedley RIP. Rest easy mate, will be missed.”
Detective Chief Inspector Claudia Musson, from the East Midlands Special Operation Unit, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are in the very early stages of the investigation and we are treating it as an isolated incident. We are keen for anyone with information to contact us as a matter of urgency to assist with the inquiry into the death of this young man.”