Teenager arrested on suspicion of murder

Floral tributes at the foot of a tree, accompanied by two candles. In the background you can see a red brick building, with the entrance to an apartment block. — Floral tributes were left at the Meadgate Avenue site. (Stuart Woodward/BBC)

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died on a residential street.

Essex Police said they were called to Meadgate Avenue in Chelmsford, Essex, at around 12.30pm BST on Tuesday, where a man locally identified as Kieran Shepherd, 30, died at the scene.

The force said three people wearing balaclavas were seen leaving the area shortly after the incident.

The Chelmsford teenager was arrested on Wednesday night and remains in custody.

‘Taken too soon’

Several tributes were also posted on social media, including one that said: “RIP Kieran Shepherd – what a legend and what a life you lived, taken too soon.”

Floral tributes were left nearby, with messages including “RIP Kier – forever 30”.

Another said: “You brought back great memories for all of us with your presence, a real guy who didn’t deserve what happened.”

People at the Meadgate estate told the BBC they were shocked by the news.

“Everyone is very sad, very upset,” said Mathi Kanagarajah, owner of the local newsstand.

He said there is a good community spirit at the property and added that everyone was “very friendly and helpful”.

Pam, who has lived in the area since the 1960s, said the fact that someone had died during the day left her “insecure”.

She said she avoided walking in certain areas unless she was accompanied by other people.

“It used to be a lovely, safe property, everyone wanted to live here, but now it worries you,” she added.

One resident, who did not want to be identified, said the situation was “painful”.

“I feel sorry for the family of the person who did this and I feel sorry for the people who suffered because of it,” they said.

A black police tent and police cordon on Meadgate Avenue. — A police cordon and tent remained in place on Meadgate Avenue on Wednesday. (Stuart Woodward/BBC)

Det Insp Lydia George, senior investigating officer on the case, described what happened as “a horrific incident” which was “distressing” for those in the area.

“I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can and that we do not believe there is any greater risk to the public,” she said.

The force appealed for anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage to come forward and said it had set up a serious incidents police portal for the investigation.

Marie Goldman, MP for Chelmsford, spoke in the House of Commons on Thursday about the incident. She said: “I’m sure the whole house will want to join me in sending condolences to the bereaved family of the victims at this terrible time.

“As Essex Police are now conducting a serious incident investigation, I cannot comment much further on the details except to say that I understand this was a vicious attack with three male suspects seen leaving the scene wearing balaclavas.

“I would encourage any member of the public who may have any information about this to contact the police.”

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