Boy, 14, arrested after stepfather of classroom rival shot dead
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man believed to be the stepfather of his school rival was shot dead.
Lee Holt, 32, died from a gunshot wound to the chest on Wednesday evening after he allegedly went to the suspect’s house to resolve a dispute between the two teenagers.
A second arrest was made yesterday afternoon, of a 49-year-old man, also on suspicion of murder.
It is understood that Mr Holt, who has a young daughter, had gone to the semi-detached property in a quiet culde-sac in the Oswaldtwistle area of Accrington, Lancs, with the 14-year-old son of his girlfriend amid allegations of bullying. But his attempt to clear the air ended in tragedy.
One neighbour said he heard “raised voices” coming from the house and another heard a “loud gunshot” before a woman screamed: “Blood, blood!”
A resident attempted to resuscitate Mr Holt, who was bleeding heavily, before paramedics and police rushed to the scene at around 8.30pm.
The victim was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he died a short time later, while the boy, who is understood to have two younger siblings, was taken into custody.
The stepmother of Mr Holt’s partner told The Daily Telegraph: “All we know is that it was an altercation between [her son] and the other boy.”
She said her stepdaughter was “not in a good way” following the tragedy
Shane Murray, a friend, wrote online: “What an absolute shame, totally shocked! RIP my mate, thoughts and prayers for the family at this sad time.”
Joseph O’neill, a neighbour of Mr Holt’s mother, Marilyn, said: “Lee was so kind-hearted and would do anything for anybody. Everybody on this street loved him. That guy wouldn’t hurt a fly. He had a good head between his shoulders. It’s heartbreaking.”
Det Insp Pete Danby, of Lancashire Police, said: “My thoughts are with the man’s family at this incredibly sad and difficult time.
“They are being supported by specially trained officers. We are in the very early stages of our investigation and have a number of officers [making] inquiries.
“We think this was an isolated incident and believe there is no wider threat to local residents.”