Horsforth stabbing: Alfie Lewis, 15, ‘was picking pal’s little brother up from school’ when he was knifed to death
A FIFTEEN-year-old boy who has died after being stabbed outside a primary school has been named locally as Alfie Lewis.
The youngster suffered critical injuries after being attacked in Horsforth, near Leeds, shortly before 3pm on Tuesday.
Another teenager was being questioned by murder detectives over the attack.
Tributes were paid online to Alfie, who it is believed was picking up another child from St Margaret’s Primary School in Town Lane.
One witness said Alfie was stabbed in the stomach by a gang of at least three youths who then fled the scene.
Parents, who had arrived at the school to pick up children, tended to the boy until paramedics arrived.
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It was reported that a bloodied knife was recovered from the scene.
A witness said: “Alfie had gone to collect a friend’s little brother when he was attacked by a gang.
“Poor Alfie didn’t stand a chance.”
A tribute posted on Facebook read: “I love and miss you so much Alfie fly high my lil ginge.
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“I’ll come see you soon.”
MasterChef: The Professionals star Matt Healy, who runs a restaurant in Horsforth, also paid tribute to Alfie - a close friend of his daughter.
Matt said: "It's absolutely shocking. This is such a sleepy and lovely town.
"It’s difficult to put into words because 15 is no age. My daughter’s very close friends with Alfie.
"They’re bright kids and there’s a massive group of them who all hang round together. He really cared for his friends."
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson said: “Our investigation is at an early stage and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish exactly what led to this needless loss of a young man’s life.
“We understand the immense impact and huge shock a tragic incident of this nature will will have on the community locally.
“Our neighbourhood police team are working with partners, including schools in the area to offer support and reassurance.
“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses and are keen to hear from anyone who has information about the incident.”
Emergency service workers converged on the scene, including paramedics and an air ambulance.
A police helicopter was also seen in the sky. Floral tributes were left at the scene of the horror before Alfie’s death was confirmed by police.
He had been a pupil at Horsforth School & Sixth Form and turned 15 in September.
It is understood Alfie was not in school.
In a statement to parents, headteacher Paul Bell said: “You will be aware of a distressing incident in the community today involving a former student who was stabbed on St Margaret’s Avenue.
“The police are aware and are working with the school.
“Our thoughts and sympathies lie with the his at this time while the student is receiving medical treatment.
“We are aware the distress and upset this has caused students and staff who know the student.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "My heart goes out to the family and friends of the young person who was tragically killed.
"What I want to say is we're doing everything we can to clamp down, in particular, on knife crime as it impacts young people."
During a visit to a school in Lincolnshire, Mr Sunak was asked about the pupils at the boy's former school and said: "My heart and sympathies go out to all of them.
"They've lost a friend and this is awful.
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"I know that they will be shocked by what's happened.
"I want to make sure that in all communities across the country we've got police officers that are giving people the reassurance they need that their communities are safe."