'GENTLE SOUL'
Family tribute to grade-A student, 16, killed in Chinese takeaway bloodbath as men, 31 & 38, quizzed for murder
THE family of a grade-A student who was killed in a Chinese takeaway have paid tribute to their teenage daughter, while two men are held in custody.
Wenjing Xu, also known as Wenjing Lin, 16, had been chatting to friends about a pal's 16th birthday party just before she died yesterday, a schoolmate said.
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The teen girl died while two injured men, aged 31 and 38, were arrested following the Friday bloodbath in the small town of Ynyswen, near Treorchy, South Wales.
Police confirmed Wenjing and the men, both believed to be Chinese, were known to each other.
Police initially said Wenjing’s death was “sudden and unexplained” but after a post mortem examination they confirmed she was murdered.
South Wales Police said they were treating her death as murder and had launched an investigation with two men currently in custody.
Eyewitnesses said the village restaurant was "covered in blood" in the horror.
The teenager's family paid a touching tribute to their daughter, saying in a statement: “Wenjing had a very gentle soul, she was a very quiet person. Wenjing helped the whole family, working in the family takeaway. She enjoyed school and worked very hard. She was loved by her family.”
The Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lewis, said: “Following completion of the post mortem examination we are now able to confirm that we are treating Wenjing’s death as murder”.
He added: “This is a tragic and shocking incident - our thoughts are with Wenjing’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
"I can reassure the community that at this time we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
"A 31 year-old man, known to the victim, is in police custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a 38 year-old man is also in police custody in connection with the incident.
"Both are being treated in hospital as a result of injuries sustained during the incident. I remain grateful for the support we have received from the local community during our enquiries.”
Kacey James, 16, today laid flowers at the scene and said she had only just been chatting to her pal to organise a socially distanced birthday party for a friend before the tragedy unfolded.
Speaking today, the teen said: “She was clever, lovely and so funny - I can’t stop crying.
“We were texting her yesterday about meeting up and then the messages suddenly stopped.
“We thought she’d fallen asleep then we heard what happened.”
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Kacey laid a bunch of flowers at the scene alongside another floral tribute which said: “How can the world take such a lovely girl? Fly high.”
And a pal today said Wenjing had been "brilliant".
Tia Warren, 17, who used to work at the takeaway, said: "She was lovely, I really liked her. She was brilliant at maths and was tutoring me even though she was in a year below me in school.
"I am devastated at what has happened - she was lovely, an A-grade student who could have achieved anything in life."
The teen said Wenjing had been excited to head to university, adding: "Usually she was quite a happy young girl, I'm so sad. I was crying when I was told what happened."
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One local Joanne Roberts, 43, who laid flowers for the teen outside the takeaway, said: “She was a lovely girl - I can’t believe what happened.
“She was quiet but always polite and helpful. It’s just too sad words.”
Another pal wrote on social media: "So sad. Rest in peace."
Wenjing's family is being supported by specially trained family liaison officers and efforts are continuing to contact other relatives.
Police arrested two men who are currently in hospital receiving treatment for serious injuries.
It is understood that those involved are known to each other, police said.
'A LOVELY GIRL'
It is not being treated as a terrorist attack, and detectives are not looking for anyone else.
Meanwhile, forensic officers remain at the scene today as an investigation into the horror was launched.
Superintendent Rich Jones said: "This is clearly a very serious incident which has caused significant shock and concern for both the local and wider community.
"We have a dedicated team of detectives working hard to establish the exact circumstances that have led to the tragic death of this young girl.
"While the investigation is still in its early stages, we can confirm that those involved are understood to know to each other and we are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."
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Screams were heard coming from the Chinese takeaway shortly after midday in the village.
Local residents saw paramedics giving one victim CPR.
The victims were flown to hospital by air ambulance.
What we know so far:
- Police responded to a 'major incident' in the village of Ynyswen
- A 16-year-old girl, named Wenjing Lin, died
- Two men were arrested and are being treated for serious injuries in hospital
- It is understood that those involved are known to each other
- Friday's bloodbath is not being treated as a terrorist attack
Neighbour John Belgrove 46, said: "I was in my workshop when I heard sirens and saw police everywhere.
"There was a Chinese girl sitting on a pavement – she was in her pyjamas and they were covered in blood.
"I could see she was sobbing and in a terrible state.
"I helped the police block off the road, I heard them say that one person was dead and several others badly hurt."
Builder Mr Belgrove said he believed the casualties were Chinese men who worked at the takeaway, which was sealed off by police.
I helped the police block off the road, I heard them say that one person was dead and several others badly hurt
John Belgrove
He said: "The restaurant owners haven't been there very long – they did a swap with another Chinese restaurant nearby.
"As far as I know there is a connection between the two businesses.
"It’s shocking, it’s such a quiet village. I counted 31 emergency vehicles here and two air ambulances."
The restaurant had been open for business despite lockdown.
One victim was in a car outside the restaurant, a local resident said.
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Neighbour John Evans, 70, said: "There was a lot of blood at the scene, it was a major incident with multiple victims.
"This is normally a quiet village."
Another neighbour said: "A woman was heard screaming but I don't think she was one of the injured.
"She saw what happened which must have been awful. There was a lot of blood."
Nextdoor neighbour Terry Barnes said: "It is a terrible shock.
"There was a body under a white sheet outside after the police had been there."
'NUMBER OF CASUALTIES'
Local resident Linsey Simmonds said: "I was coming past the Baglan Field and saw the Air Ambulance land there, and in the past 20 minutes there's been up to 30 police and ambulance vehicles."
Another resident said: "As I come around the corner there was loads of sirens getting passed and I saw four police at the bottom with guns telling people they couldn’t come down the hill.
"Then a couple of minutes later I saw someone getting stretchered off into the back of an ambulance literally outside the Chinese by the hill."
South Wales Ambulance dispatched a rapid response vehicle, three emergency ambulances and the Wales Air Ambulance.
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant tweeted: "My thoughts go out to all those affected and thanks to @swpRCT and @WelshAmbulance who are in attendance."
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Andrew Morgan, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, has thanked the emergency services for the "significant attendance" at the scene.
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He said: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident but please avoid the area until emergency services leave the location."
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