Bedford bus station stabbing victim Thomas Taylor pictured as 'popular' teen remembered
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A “popular, well-liked” teenager was fatally stabbed near a bus station in a town centre, police have said. Thomas Taylor, 17, was attacked by a group of males at 5.50pm on Wednesday as he walked along Greenhill Street, close to Bedford bus station, officers said.
The Bedford Academy student was taken to hospital with serious injuries but was pronounced dead a short time later. The offenders, all described as black and wearing dark clothing, fled the scene towards Hassett Street and Greyfriars car park, Bedfordshire police said.
Thomas’s headteacher Chris Deller described him as a “respected lad” who had achieved good exam results at the end of year 11 before progressing to sixth form. He said: “We are deeply upset and shocked to hear the sad news that a Bedford Academy student has lost their life.
“Thomas was a popular, well-liked and respected lad who finished Year 11 with a strong set of results, before going on to study at sixth form. Our focus now is on supporting the family through such a difficult period whilst helping our students and wider community to come to terms with such a tragic loss.”.
Police have launched a murder investigation into the killing and several areas of Bedford town centre remain cordoned off. Detective Chief Inspector Katie Dounias, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is an absolutely shocking incident in which a teenage boy has been stabbed to death in a busy town centre.
