'It is terrible, he had his future ahead of him.'
A 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in Luton has been named and pictured for the first time.
Ashraf Habimana was one of five teenagers who were knifed in two ‘connected’ attacks within a matter of hours on Friday.
Young Ashraf died in hospital shortly after he sustained multiple stab wounds in Nunnery Lane at around 7pm on Friday.
Two other teens targeted in the attack are both in hospital, with one fighting for his life, while the other is recovering from serious injuries.
Tributes have been paid to Ashraf, including by his father who reportedly told The Sun at the scene on Saturday: ‘It is terrible. He is just a boy. He was only 16.
‘I heard last night and came down from Yorkshire. We don’t know what happened. He was at the college in Luton doing A-levels.
‘He had his future ahead of him.’
The Luton, Keeping Safe Facebook page issued a public tribute, writing: ‘So, so sad a young life has been taken away.
‘Our thoughts & prayers are with all the victims and their families who have lost their loved ones to gun & knife crime.
‘We condemn these barbaric acts against our fellow citizens in the strongest terms.
‘We urge authorities to implement stop & searches in particular targeting those who are part of gang culture.
‘Enough is enough, how many more mothers are going to mourn?’
Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of Ashraf’s murder and are being held in custody for questioning.
Floral tributes have also been left at the roadside in Nunnery Lane where an area close to the Old Moat House Pub was cordoned off.
Ashraf died just three hours after two other teenagers were stabbed at around 4pm less than a mile away in Sundon Park Road.
Of those, one is in a life-threatening condition in hospital and the other suffered serious injuries but is not thought to be critical.
One man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident and currently remains in police custody for questioning.
The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit have launched a murder investigation, and they are currently treating both incidents as connected.
Detective inspector Lee Martin said: ‘Appalling violence in Luton cost a teenage boy his life yesterday, and left two others in life-threatening conditions.
‘Incidents such as these have a significant impact on our residents. Our thoughts are first and foremost with the loved ones of the boy who lost his life in such tragic and awful circumstances.
‘We are doing everything we can to prevent any further incidents and we want to reassure the wider community that officers are pursuing all lines of enquiry as well as carrying out increased patrols in the area.
‘Knife crime and violence has no place in our society – but it is a problem we must tackle together, alongside our communities, to challenge attitudes about carrying knives and provide opportunities to ensure our young people can feel safe.
‘Both incidents happened in busy areas with several people present. If you witnessed any of these incidents, or if you have any video footage or images, then please get in touch.’
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