Devastated family say boy, 15, stabbed to death will 'shine in the sky'

Leeds stabbing victim Alfie Lewis' family have paid tribute to the "one-in-a-million" rapper who was stabbed to death yesterday.

The 15-year-old was knifed near Horsforth School in Leeds just before 3pm on Tuesday. He was rushed to hospital but tragically died of his injuries, West Yorkshire Police said. A second school, St Margaret's Primary School, is also near the scene of the stabbing.

A statement from Alfie’s family said: "I haven't got the words to describe how devastated we all are. Alfie, you were one in a million, so funny and an all-round entertainer with your rapping and dancing feet. You had the biggest heart and took care of everybody around you. You will never know just how much you are loved by family and friends, and you will always be our Uncle Alfie. We love you so much. Nothing will ever be the same without you. You will shine in the sky, as bright as you did in all our lives. I love you more than words can say, and you will always be with us forever. Love you, Uncle Alfie." A bench on Broadgate Lane, which is close to where Alfie lived, has been covered in floral tributes to the teenager and become a focal point for his friends to gather at.

Tributes left on a bench on Broadgate Lane, Horsforth, following the death of Alfie Lewis (PA)

A 14-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the incident remains in police custody. The force said a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder on Tuesday evening has been released without charge. It is believed Alfie was picking up another child from St Margaret’s Primary School in Town Lane and teachers reportedly carried out CPR.

The school told parents there had been a "distressing" incident involving a former pupil. One tribute on social media read: "Another child taken by knife crime sending all my love to the Lewis family." Another reads: "You were a kind and caring young boy with so much to give. I don’t know if you realised how many friends you had and how many people care about you but they were out in force for you tonight laying flowers and lighting candles for you at your bench."

Mourners gather at purple-themed vigil to remember girl, 15, stabbed to death

Local Tory MP Stuart Andrew visited the bench on Wednesday afternoon and looked at the flowers. Mr Andrew said: "It's almost impossible to find the words that really describe how I'm feeling and how the whole community is feeling. But my primary thoughts at the moment are with the family. I cannot imagine what they are going through."

Police said they were called to an assault just before 3pm on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson said: "Alfie's family are absolutely devastated about his death in such sudden and violent circumstances, and we are doing everything we can to support them and get them the answers they need. They have asked that their privacy is respected so that they can begin to grieve at what is clearly a very difficult and painful time for them. The exception to this is we would of course still like to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident, which took place in a busy part of Horsforth, or who has any information that could assist the investigation."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was asked about Alfie's death during a visit to a Lincolnshire school before his name was confirmed by police. Mr Sunak, who described the incident as "awful", said: "My heart goes out to the family and friends of the young person who was tragically killed. What I want to say is we're doing everything we can to clamp down in particular on knife crime as it impacts young people."

The organisers of a fundraising site set up in Alfie's memory said he was "a lovely, kind, funny, mischievous, brave and generous young boy". They said: "He was loving, mischievous, adventurous and, as such, extremely popular. He was everything a 15-year-old child should be and his life was senselessly taken from him before he had the chance to grow into it."