Cops launch murder probe after man, 55, is killed during brawl at engagement party in Essex
Police have arrested a 24-year-old man
COPS have launched a murder investigation after a “punch up” at an Essex engagement party turned deadly.
Police have arrested a 24-year-old man after a 55-year-old male was knocked down and killed in a brawl in a parish hall car park in Broomfield, near Chelmsford last night.
A woman was also caught in the clash and rushed to hospital with a broken nose.
Neighbours said they heard shouting and screaming before police cars came rushing to the scene.
Witness Joe Cunningham, 55, said: "There was an engagement party there.
“t must have started at 6ish as there was a 70th birthday party there in the day.
"I went to bed at half 11 and I started hearing a woman shouting as my bedroom backs on to the park.
"There was lots of blokes shouting and screaming, I just thought it was people drinking.
"When I went to walk the dog this morning and I saw all the police I thought it might be serious."
Another resident Phil said: "I took the dog for a walk at 11.20pm and saw two police cars flying by and thought there might have been a punch up."
Shauna Finch, 23, a full time mum, added: "It's scary, particularly when there is a park just over there.
"It's not nice because my three and a half year old Summer wants to know what is happening."
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Officers were called to the scene by paramedics at just before midnight as they tried to save the life of the victim, from Bracknell, in Berkshire.
The unidentified victim had been knocked down in the car park and died at the scene.
Today forensic teams are scouring the scheme.
The suspect from Chelmsford, was arrested at 2am this morning and is currently being questioned.
DI Steve Ellis, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "The murder victim, assault victim and suspect were all attending a private party being held inside Broomfield Parish Hall in Main Road.
"Both assaults happened outside the hall in the car park area.
"Our enquiries are continuing today and I would urge anybody with any information about the incident who has not already spoken to officers to contact us."
A cordon has been put in place at the scene whilst forensic examinations are carried out. A post mortem examination will take place later.
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