Killed teen, 16, told 'you are loved' in heartbreaking tributes after stabbings

Tributes have poured in for a teenage boy who was killed in a stabbing in Luton with one card left at the scene saying "you are loved".

A 16-year-old boy, who was named as Ashraf Habimana, suffered multiple stab wounds in Nunnery Lane in Luton at around 7pm on Friday and later died. Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with the attack.

A second teenager was injured in the attack and is being treated at hospital for potentially life-threatening injuries. A third victim also received serious injuries, though these are not being treated as life threatening.

Among the tributes for Ashraf one card read: "Rest in eternal peace Ashraf. Safe in the knowledge you are loved," and another stated: "Gone but never forgotten."

An area close to the Old Moat House Pub has been cordoned off by the police while forensic officers worked at the scene. There are more than 20 bunches of flowers that have been left while people also gathered to mourn.

Mourners gather at purple-themed vigil to remember girl, 15, stabbed to death

A HopeFundMe page has been set up "to help his mum". It reads: "I just want to support Ashraf wasn’t very close with the guy but I’ve know him for long enough to be effected by it wasn’t the right thing to happen and all the donation are to help his mum."

Three teenage boys, arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the incident, remain in police custody for questioning. Earlier on the same day, at 4pm, officers were called to reports that two people were stabbed in Sundon Park Road.

One teenager received life-threatening injuries, and a second received serious but not life-threatening injuries. Both are being treated in hospital. One man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection to this, and currently remains in police custody for questioning.

The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit have launched a murder investigation, and they are currently treating both incidents as connected. Detective Inspector Lee Martin, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Appalling violence in Luton cost a teenage boy his life yesterday, and left two others in life-threatening conditions.

“Incidents such as these have a significant impact on our residents. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the loved ones of the boy who lost his life in such tragic and awful circumstances. We are doing everything we can to prevent any further incidents and we want to reassure the wider community that officers are pursuing all lines of enquiry as well as carrying out increased patrols in the area.

“Knife crime and violence has no place in our society – but it is a problem we must tackle together, alongside our communities, to challenge attitudes about carrying knives and provide opportunities to ensure our young people can feel safe. Both incidents happened in busy areas with several people present. If you witnessed any of these incidents, or if you have any video footage or images, then please get in touch.”

If you have any information please visit beds.police.uk/ro/report or call 101. For Sundon Park Road quote reference Operation Sydney, and for Nunnery Lane quote reference Operation Roydon. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org For further information and support about knife crime visit the Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit website via bedsveru.org.