Fifth Stretford murder case arrest as 16-year-old victim is named

Police were called by the ambulance service to Thirlmere Avenue after a stabbing just before 7pm last night, Saturday.

The victim, a 16-year-old boy who has been identified as Kennie Carter, was left in a serious condition after suffering injuries consistent with stab wounds.

Kennie was taken to hospital but died a short time later.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP said the boy's family have been informed and will receive ongoing support from our specially-trained officers.

Following the tragedy, GMP's Major Incident Team arrested four teenagers after three warrants were carried out last night in Stretford, Old Trafford and Hulme.

The suspects are all boys aged between 15 and 17, and are being held on suspicion of murder.

This afternoon police have said a fifth teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder as well.

A police cordon in Stretford

Reading out a statement this afternoon, Trafford Superintendent Caroline Hemingway said: "Last night, shortly before 7pm, a teenage boy was tragically stabbed to death on Thirlmere Avenue, a short distance away here in Stretford.

"He was just 16 and has formally been formally identified Kennie Carter.

"My thoughts, as a police officer and as a mother of a teenage son, go out to Kennie's loved ones, who will receive as much support as we can give through our specially-trained officers.

"A murder investigation is underway, and a team of detectives from our Major Incident Team have been working through the night and into today to follow-up a number of different lines of enquiry, and to piece together the circumstances leading to this callous attack.

"Four arrests were made overnight, all of whom are teenage boys, and they remain in custody to be questioned on suspicion of murder.

"There are scenes on in Stretford, Old Trafford and Hulme as our enquiries continue and extra patrols remain in those areas.

"Again, we see the utterly devastating consequences of knife crime – it destroys lives, families, and communities.

"It's so heartbreaking to see such a young life lost, and such young people suspected of being capable of a horrendous act of violence.

"We will not relent in tackling this problem in our society, and we are doing all we can with partners and the community to stop more young lives being lost on our streets.

"It's vital the public give us any information or concerns, knowing we'll treat it with the strictest confidence.

"This can be done by contacting police/Major Incident room, or Crimestoppers anonymously.

"A family is today grieving the loss of a much-loved young soul.

"If you know someone carrying a knife, look out for them.

"Think of how their actions could cost someone a life, ruin a poor family's life, wreck their own life, and wreck the lives of their loved ones."

A police tent in Stretford

Enquiries continue at a fast pace and anyone with even the slightest information are asked to contact GMP in confidence via 101 or online – on www.gmp.police.uk – quoting incident number 2,529 of January 22.

Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.