Boy, 16, stabbed to death ‘after row with teen in car park’ as second 16-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder
POLICE have launched a murder inquiry after a teenage boy died after being stabbed in a car park.
Harley Barfield, 16, was stabbed just after 3pm on Monday in Strasbourg Square, Haverhill, Suffolk.
Harley of Haverhill was initially taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, but was later transferred to the nearby Royal Papworth Hospital where he was said to be in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Suffolk Police have now confirmed that he died in hospital this morning, leading to his death being treated as a murder investigation.
Another boy aged 16 was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder on Monday and remains in police custody while being questioned by detectives.
The teenager has since been re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
Paramedics had earlier battled to save Harley’s life in the car park which is on a housing estate. Police confirmed an air ambulance was also called.
A Suffolk Police statement said: “An altercation is reported to have taken place between two teenage boys during which one of them was stabbed.
“The suspect then fled the scene and is believed to have run off in the direction of Millfields Way.
“The teenager who was stabbed can now be named by police as Harley Barfield from Haverhill.
“Harley was initially taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment, before being transferred to the Royal Papworth Hospital. Sadly, despite the best efforts of medical staff and brave resistance from Harley, he passed away this morning, Wednesday 11 January.
“A 16-year-old boy from the Haverhill area was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder shortly after the incident.
“He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning and has now been further arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police obtained a warrant of further detention from Ipswich magistrates court on Tuesday afternoon granting officers them further 36 hours to question the suspect. This expires at 4.35am on Thursday.
The police statement added: “Detectives understand that the victim and suspect were known to each other and as such, this is being treated as an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
“Harley’s family and some key witnesses continue to be supported by specialist trained liaison officers. The family have asked us to pass on their thanks to everyone who has sent them messages of support, but politely request that they are not contacted at this time.
White-suited forensic officers were seen searching or evidence at the scene of the stabbing yesterday (tues), but the police cordon around the car park has now been lifted.