A 19-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a student was stabbed to death.
Luke O’Connor, 19, was fatally stabbed in a random attack in Manchester on Wednesday – leaving his family devastated.
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And Manchester Police today confirmed a man, 19, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Superintendent Helen Critchley, of our City of Manchester South district, said: “The arrest of a 19-year-old suspect on Friday night is an important step in our investigation which is moving at pace.
“There are still a number of enquiries being conducted to establish what happened in the early hours of Wednesday, but what is clear is that this was a senseless and needless loss of a promising young life.”
Police understand Luke did not know his attacker before the fatal encounter.
Luke’s family this week paid tribute to Luke after the second year Business Management student’s tragic death.
In a heartbreaking statement, they said: “Our hearts yearn for the loss of Luke; we are truly devastated by this tragedy.
“Luke was loved by so many people, and he knew how much he was loved in return.”
They said Luke, who was the youngest of three boys, was a “gentle giant with big hopes and dreams for the future”.
They added: “His biggest dream was to travel the world, but now Luke will never be able to fulfil that dream.
“Luke loved music, football and was a big supporter of Liverpool Football Club, who he followed religiously from a young age.
“He had a profound impact on so many people throughout his life. He was truly one of a kind, who’s presence would light up any room.
“Luke’s friends also adored him, as he adored them. They often called Luke a ‘Legend’ and ‘the life and soul’ of everything he did. Everyone who met him, truly loved him.
“Our lively, bubbly, beautiful boy has been taken from us and our family are now left with a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.
“Justice needs to be served as we have lost our beautiful young Luke, who was robbed of life.”
Investigators are not currently looking for anyone else.
Anyone with information or footage that has not yet been shared should call police on 0161 856 6777 quoting incident 240 of 26/10/2022.
