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By Open Chronicle Staff | February 5, 2026 | With Agencies
LEICESTER — A sense of profound shock has permeated the De Montfort University (DMU) community following the fatal stabbing of a student on the city centre campus. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, February 3, has left students terrified and prompted a murder investigation by Leicestershire Police.
The victim, a man in his 20s, was attacked on Oxford Street, a central artery of the DMU campus. Emergency services rushed the student to Leicester Royal Infirmary, but he tragically succumbed to his injuries a short time later. An 18-year-old man was swiftly arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
🚨De Montfort University Stabbing Update GB News
MURDER INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED AFTER MAN STABBED ON OXFORD STREET NEAR DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY at 5pm Yesterday
An 18-year-old man has been ARRESTED on suspicion of MURDER.
Sources at DMU say they've been given NDA's and the… pic.twitter.com/pA7xjTWzPO
— James Goddard (@JamesPGoddard90) February 4, 2026
Witnesses Describe “Horrific” Scene
Witnesses near the university’s Innovation Centre described the harrowing moments when the tragedy unfolded. Tye Crofton, 19, who works adjacent to the scene, recalled hearing a piercing scream just before 5:00 PM.
“It was scary. It wasn’t something that I had thought about before,” Crofton said. “You hear about this sort of thing happening in movies and TV, but you never expect it to happen on the doorstep where you work.”
Other students described learning of the event through social media as police cordons expanded across the campus. Matthew Saunders, a third-year student, noted a worrying trend: “During my time in Leicester, there hasn’t really been too much happening, but in the past six months, I’ve been seeing more stabbings and incidents happening. It’s really sad.”
University Response
Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University, issued a statement expressing the institution’s devastation.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened,” Normington said. “We are offering direct support to students, staff, and the family of the victim. We are working with Leicestershire Police as they investigate this tragic incident.”
The university has emphasized its commitment to providing counseling and support services to those traumatized by the event. Meanwhile, Leicestershire Police have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified rumors of a “mass stabbing,” clarifying that the investigation pertains to a single fatal incident.
Wider Concerns Over Safety
The tragedy has sparked a broader conversation among the student body regarding safety in the city. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, “I can’t believe it, it’s just not safe to come out when it’s dark anymore.”
While some students viewed the incident as part of a national rise in knife crime rather than a Leicester-specific issue, the mood on campus remains somber as the community mourns the loss of one of its own.