Jakub Szymanski, a 15-year-old boy, was killed while attempting to protect his mother during a ‘ferocious’ double stabbing.
After stepping back to rescue his mother, Katarzyna Bastek, who was left ‘seriously injured’ during the terrible incident in Miles Platting, Manchester, on Thursday evening, Jakub was dubbed a ‘hero’ who ‘fought for his family.’
On Friday night, a 44-year-old man was caught in Kent, some 250 miles away, on suspicion of murder, according to Greater Manchester Police.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Jakub’s mother is in her forties and is recovering from severe injuries in hospital, where she is said to be in a stable condition while mourning the death of her son (MEN).
‘There’s no chance the boy isn’t a hero,’ a person close to Jakub, who is thought to be one of four brothers, told the MEN. Everyone knew him as a nice and respectable person.
‘He was quiet, but he was a protector.’ He sacrificed 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 at the location, which was still cordoned off by police.
A bouquet of flowers was also left outside the home as a memorial to Jakub by the community.
Alicia Smith, Detective Chief Inspector, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, on Friday night said that ‘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’.
‘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,’ she continued.
‘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 for stab wounds at the location of the incidence before he was sent to the hospital, where he died an hour later, according to the police.
Neighbors have earlier expressed their bewilderment following the property’s frantic double attack.
One resident of Miles Platting’s peaceful terraced street, Bednal Avenue, said she glanced out the window to witness medics attempting to save the boy’s life in the street.
‘Apparently some fella just ran in and stabbed the son and the mother,’ said the woman, who did not want to be identified.
‘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.’
Soon after the incident, the suspect was last seen walking on nearby Sawley Road.
‘I didn’t know the family personally but I knew of them,’ said one resident who did not want to be identified.
‘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.’