Jakub Szymanski, a 15-year-old boy who was killed while attempting to protect his mother during a ‘ferocious’ double stabbing, has been identified.
After stepping in to save his mother, Katarzyna Bastek, who was left’seriously injured’ following the shocking attack in Miles Platting, Manchester, on Thursday evening, Jakub was dubbed a ‘hero’ who ‘fought for his family.’
According to the Manchester Evening News, Jakub’s mother is in her 40s and is recovering from serious injuries in hospital, where she is said to be in a stable condition while grieving the loss of her son (MEN).
‘There’s no way that boy isn’t a hero,’ a source close to Jakub, who is thought to be one of four brothers, told the MEN. Everyone knew him as a polite and respectable person.
‘He was quiet, but he was a watchful eye.’ He struggled for the sake of his family. He was an incredible person, a hero, and he deserves to be remembered as such.’
On Saturday morning, forensic teams were seen working the location while a police cordon remained in place.
A bouquet of flowers was also left outside the home as a memorial to Jakub by the community.
‘Last night’s attack has left a community reeling and a family coming to terms with what was an absolutely devastating incident for everyone involved,’ said Detective Chief Inspector Alicia Smith of GMP’s Major Incident Team on Friday night.
‘A teenage boy who had his whole life ahead of him has tragically lost his life and not only is his mother grieving at the loss of her son, but she is also recovering from what will have been no doubt, hugely traumatic.
‘Our thoughts remain very much with the family and we are absolutely committed to establishing what exactly happened last night.
‘Detectives have been working around the clock since this incident was first reported to us and we’ve now made an arrest which is a huge step forward in getting the family the answers they need.’
Jakub was treated at the scene for stab wounds before being taken to hospital where he died around an hour later, the force said.
Neighbours previously told of their shock following the frenzied double attack at the property.
One local in the quiet terraced street of Bednal Avenue in Miles Platting said she looked out of the window to see medics trying to save the boy’s life in the street.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘Apparently some fella just ran in and stabbed the son and the mother.
‘I saw someone trying to resuscitate the boy. I looked out of bedroom window and saw the ambulance crews.
‘There was loads of screaming, then all the police and ambulances came.
‘I didn’t think anything like that could happen around here. It’s scary. It’s horrendous.
‘It’s just shocking it has happened in this neighbourhood.’
The suspect was last seen walking on nearby Sawley Road shortly after the attack took place.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I didn’t know the family personally but I knew of them.
‘It’s terrible. It’s not the kind of thing that happens round here, the area has improved massively with regeneration and this is so sad.
‘It’s a horrible feeling, it’s more than nervous, it is emotional. It is such a sad state of affairs.’
Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand said: ‘Last night’s events are nothing short of devastating as a teenage boy has tragically lost his life and a mother is grieving in hospital after also being seriously attacked.
‘We have trained family liaison officers dedicated to supporting her and her family at this incredibly distressing time, and we are committed to doing all we can to make sure we bring the person responsible to justice.
‘This is a shocking incident for the people of Manchester to wake up to.
‘This is a ferocious attack that has seen a teenage boy fatally injured.’
Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident 3105 of 09/06/2022.