MURDER PROBE
Neighbours’ shock at early hours drama
RESIDENTS have spoken of their shock at waking up in the middle of the night to discover a murder investigation had been launched on their own doorstep in South Shields.
Emergency services were called to Victoria Road at 3.52am yesterday to a report of concern for a man inside a block of flats.
Police discovered an unresponsive man in the top floor property with injuries consistent with being caused by a blade and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
A 23-year-old man, who was at the home and believed to be known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A cordon was put in place, surrounding the block of flats on Victoria Road as well as the pathways on St Marks Road and Bedford Avenue, as investigations got under way.
One neighbour told The Chronicle he heard banging on his door in the early hours of the morning.
He said: “I opened the door and there was blood over the floor and my door.
“There was a man knocking on all the doors shouting for help.
“I was in pure shock. I thought I was dreaming. I called the police and ambulance straight away.”
Another man, who wished to remain anonymous, was shocked to discover what had happened.
He said: “I woke up this morning and stepped into the stairwell to go outside for a smoke and there was blood everywhere. Police had told me there had been an incident.
“It was unreal. It’s terrifying to think this has happened.”
Forensic officers were spotted carrying out their investigations both inside and outside of the property.
Police also closed Victoria Road temporarily at one stage after blood was found splattered on the road just outside the flats where the incident took place.
Meanwhile, detectives were carrying out door to door inquiries at neighbouring properties.
One woman spoke of her shock at seeing the large police presence on her street in the early hours of the morning.
She said: “It was 5.55am when I woke up and saw lots of police cars coming and going.
“You don’t see many coming and going. It’s very sad, especially when you’ve got young children around. It’s horrible.
“I’ve never known anything like this, ever. People usually keep themselves to themselves.
“You just never expect this to happen on your doorstep.”
Another neighbour described the victim, whose identity has not yet been released by police, as a “nice lad”. He said: “I woke up and saw all the police lights flashing at around 3am. I only saw him yesterday. He was a nice lad.
“I love the people and I love the area. You certainly wouldn’t expect this kind of thing on this estate.” Detectives at Northumbria Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) are now appealing for anyone with information to get in touch. Detective Chief Inspector Shelley Hudson said: “We are committed to determining the circumstances behind this incident which has sadly resulted in the death of a man. A team of experienced detectives are carrying out an investigation into this incident and a suspect has already been brought in to custody.
“This incident is being treated as murder at this time and we know that this could be concerning for residents in the area.
“We want to reassure the public that this is being treated as an isolated incident that has taken place inside an address and we do not believe there to be any wider risk to the public.
“Inquiries are also ongoing to trace the victim’s next of kin who will receive ongoing support from our specialist officers during the investigation.
“If anyone saw anything unusual in the area in the early hours of Tuesday morning, or may have information that assists police, then please get in touch.”
There was blood over the floor and my door. There was a man knocking on all the doors shouting for help
Neighbour