18 January 2023 , 08:41
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Police have launched a murder probe after a teenager was stabbed to death in front of horrified shoppers.
The 18-year-old man staggered into a Cards Direct shop in Ipswich town centre, Suffolk, on Tuesday afternoon after being stabbed with a large knife or machete.
Shoppers saw the young man and rushed to help, with emergency services called to the scene.
It's thought the man, who has not yet been formally named, died at the scene.
Two young men were seen running from the scene in the town centre, just 100 yards from Ipswich town hall.
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Air ambulance crews landed in a nearby park and were rushed to the scene.
An air ambulance rushed to the scene after the man aged just 18 was stabbed to death on a busy town centre high street (East Anglia News Service)One local shop worker said: "I heard a commotion and when I looked out I saw this person on the ground surrounded by emergency services trying to revive him.
"An old lady told me that he had been stabbed in the street and had managed to get into the card shop to try and get help.
"He was being treated just outside the shop and was later put into an ambulance. It was a horrific sight."
Police cordoned off a 100 yard area of the street after the attack as armed officers in marked and unmarked patrol cars began searching nearby streets for the two suspects.
A police chopper was also scrambled to the scene and was seen making repeated sweeps over the east of the town centre.
The teenager, who has not yet been named, is believed to have died from his injuries at the scene (East Anglia News Service)Officers were later seen searching the surrounding area in bins and bushes for the discarded murder weapon.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick of Suffolk Police said: "This was a brazen attack in the town centre which will have caused great distress to anyone who witnessed it.
"Whilst enquiries are at an early stage, we believe this to be a targeted attack
"There will be an increased police presence in Ipswich this evening and over the coming days to provide reassurance to local residents and businesses.
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"We know that many people would have witnessed this attack and we urge you to make contact with us."
Police remained at the scene in Ipswich town centre on Tuesday night as officers undertook a sweep for the murder weapon (East Anglia News Service)A Section 60 Authority was implemented by Suffolk Police at 4.59pm yesterday for a period of 24-hours, providing officers with additional powers to stop and search people in Ipswich town centre
Section 60 authorisations imposed under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 allow stop and searches to take place "without reasonable grounds".
A Suffolk Police statement said: "This can only happen in a defined area for a limited amount of time when a senior officer believes there is a possibility of serious violence, or weapons are involved."
The statement added: "Police were called at 3.35pm this afternoon, Tuesday 17 January, to reports that a male had been stabbed in Westgate Street.
"Numerous police units were immediately sent to search the local area for the suspects, including armed officers and a helicopter from the National Police Air Service.
"Police are currently looking for two male suspects involved in the assault who were seen to leave the scene.
Witnesses described seeing two men flee the scene after stabbing the teenager (East Anglia News Service)"One suspect headed towards Providence Street and the other suspect was seen to be heading towards the Cornhill.
"A section of Westgate Street remains closed off around the crime scene."
The stabbing happened just yards away from Ipswich market on the Cornhill.
One stall holder said: "I saw at least one man running past here."
A woman shopper said her friend had been left "shaking in fear" after the attack.
One social media user said in a Facebook post: "Just seen a murder in Ipswich Town centre with a sword like machete."