Murder inquiry after two boys die in house
Four other children are being treated in hospital as police take man and woman into custody
A MURDER investigation began yesterday after two teenage boys died and four other children had to be rushed to hospital following a “serious incident” inside a family home in Sheffield. A man aged 37 and a 34-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder and were in custody.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the four-bedroom semi-detached property in the Shiregreen area at 7.30am yesterday after concern was raised over the welfare of those inside.
Paramedics found two boys, aged 13 and 14, unconscious. They were unable to revive them and they were pronounced dead a short time later.
Four other children, aged between eight months and 12 years, were flown to hospital, where they were said to be stable and conscious. South Yorkshire Police refused to discuss the relationship of the arrested people with the victims but said they were not looking for anyone else.
There were initial reports that the incident involved firearms but police denied there had been a shooting. Crime scene investigators were spotted arriving at the scene shortly after 10.30am.
Speaking at the scene, Superintendent Paul Mccurry said the four children in hospital were not in danger.
He said: “They are conscious. They are being given the necessary care and they will be in hospital for certainly the next few hours.
“I am aware of wider speculation regarding the use of weapons. At the moment there is no wider risk to the community in Sheffield.”
The boys who died went to Firth Park Academy, and staff there were comforting pupils. A statement posted on the school website said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm that two of our students died in tragic circumstances this morning.
“As this is a police matter, we are not able to provide any further detail at the moment. Our deepest condolences are with the family and their friends during this difficult time.
“We will be providing the appropriate support to our students and staff to help them to come to terms with what has happened. Terrible things can happen in life and there are specialists there to help and who are now helping. We must all look after each other.”
Neighbours near the scene spoke of their shock at the incident. Jonathan Campbell, 50, who lives a few doors up, said: “The police knocked on our door and told us there had been a domestic. It was quite a shock to see so many police cars and ambulances.
“I saw a baby of about six months old being carried to an ambulance by a paramedic. I had never seen the kids or the parents before – they can’t have lived here long.”
Mick Whittaker, 61, a milkman who has lived on the street for 11 years, said: “I pulled up from my round at about 8am and there were sirens wailing down the street. Twenty minutes later the air ambulance landed.
“I didn’t know the family and asking around it seems nobody did.”