Boy, 16, stabbed to death on way home from school as heartbroken family pay tribute to ‘pride and joy’
THE heartbroken family of a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on his way home from school have paid tribute to their "pride and joy".
Rohan Shand, also known as Fred, was fatally knifed in the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton shortly after 3.30pm.
Cops launched a murder investigation and have since arrested four men, aged 14, 16, 21 and 49. They remain in police custody.
Rohan's devastated friends and family have described him as "such a sweet child".
One said in a note left at the scene, among flowers and balloons, that he was a "good person" who was "taken too soon".
Another, nestled among a makeshift shrine to the popular teen, described him as a "fun loving joker".
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His heartbroken girlfriend was comforted by friends at the scene today.
A friend said: "Fred was so well liked. He was so funny and known as a joker and he was always smiling.
"He was with his girlfriend when it happened. She saw it all. She’s here today with us all mourning his loss. She can’t stop crying.”
On Facebook, Nathalie Tamagni, said: "He was such a sweet child.
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"No words can express the sadness and horror of what’s happened and my heart breaks for his family.
"We send our kids of to school on what is a normal, daily routine and never, ever expect something like this to happen, that by the end of the day, you might never see your child again
"RIP Fred. You will be so sadly missed."
Meanwhile his aunt Shantoya Shand said: "My nephew was sadly taken away from us yesterday.
"I had little sleep and l can't stop crying.
"He was my brother's only company, my brother's pride and joy."
Officers were called to Harborough Road, close to the junction with The Cock Hotel, at about 3.35pm on March 22.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Rohan died a short time later.
Cops said a formal identification is yet to take place.
A police cordon remains in place while cops work to find out what happened.
Nearby Kingsthorpe College, where it is understood Rohan was student, is closed to all pupils today due to the "ongoing incident".
In addition to house-to-house enquiries, an increased police presence will remain in the area, including high-visibility patrols to offer reassurance and support the community.
Detective Inspector Simon Barnes, said: “Our thoughts continue to be with Fred’s family and friends as they try to come to terms with his death.
“This is an exceptionally sad and tragic incident and understandably has had a huge impact on the neighbourhood and wider community and we know people are very shocked and upset by what has happened.
“Our officers remain in the Kingsthorpe area and anyone with any concerns is encouraged to speak to them as they will be happy to help. We would also again appeal to anyone who may have information and who has yet come forward to please do so.
“If you have private CCTV footage or a dashboard camera, we would like to hear from you. Your footage may provide valuable information which could help us piece together what happened around the time of Fred’s attack.”
He urged anyone with information to get in touch as soon as possible as "any little detail" could assist the investigation team.
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Witnesses or those with CCTV, doorbell, or dash-cam footage of the area at the time should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 23000174855.
Alternatively, information can be submitted via an online portal: Public Portal () or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
