A restaurant owner who was stabbed to death inside a branch of Lloyds bank in Derby has been named as Gurvinder Singh Johal.
The ‘devoted family man’ was attacked shortly after 2.30pm in Derby city centre.
He was pronounced dead at the scene while two people were arrested a few hours later.
Gurvinder owned and managed the Hen and Chickens Bar and Grill restaurant in Shelton Lock.
Close friend and Lib Dem Councillor Ajit Atwal, who knew him personally, said: ‘It’s a sad day for Derby. He was the most hard-working and devoted family man.
‘It makes no sense what has happened. Something must have gone terribly wrong for him to be killed in this way.
‘He was a good businessman and nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He was humble, quiet and a kind guy and would always go above and beyond for everyone.
‘His family are devastated and cannot understand what has happened. He was just getting on with his life – it’s just senseless.’
Police said ‘a significant police presence remains in the city centre and will do for some time to come’.
Formal identification has not yet taken place, but the man’s family has been informed.
Mark Hague, 55, who works in the city centre, said: ‘I could hear screaming and shouting this afternoon. It was piercing screams.
‘It was horrific. I could not believe it.
‘It was broad daylight. Police and paramedics swarmed to the area.’
St Peter’s Street, one of the busiest shopping areas in the city, is expected to be closed and cordoned off for the rest of the day.
Police said that the two men arrested were detained at the same property on Western Road, Normanton.
A man in his 40s was held on suspicion of murder, while a man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both remain in police custody.
A Lloyds spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the incident at our Derby branch and our thoughts are with those affected.
‘We are supporting our colleagues during this difficult time and will co-operate closely with the police.’
In a joint statement, Derby MPs Baggy Shanker and Catherine Atkinson said this was ‘a tragic and shocking incident’: ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the victim’s family, friends and all those affected. Violence has no place in our community.’
The incident was discussed widely across social media in the city today.
Councillors for Spondon in Derby said this evening: ‘Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, the staff members, and all the witnesses affected by this horrific tragedy. It was a truly heinous crime – one that I hope the justice system confronts with its full force.’
Meanwhile, Oakwood ward councillors said: ‘This hurts… this really really hurts. A young man, going about his daily business, stabbed to death, in a bank, in our city.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this awful and tragic time. If you have any information, please make the police aware!’
Allestree councillor Steve Hassell added on his Facebook page: ‘My thoughts go to this poor man’s friends and family.
‘We should not be witnessing these types of events in our city. How many times must the police be made aware that more needs to be done to make our city centre safe?’
Detective Inspector Tony Owen said: ‘We appreciate that this incident will have caused significant concern to the local community and we’d like to thank them for their patience and understanding.
‘No-one else was hurt and while the investigation is at an early stage, at this time we are treating it as an isolated incident.
‘Officers will be in the area for some time so we’d encourage anyone with any concerns to please speak to us.
‘We’d also encourage anyone with any information on this incident to please contact us as a matter of urgency.’
Did you witness what happened? Email jen.mills@metro.co.uk or webnews@metro.co.uk.
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